Latin name: Leptailurus serval
Lifespan: 10 – 13 years
Weight: 10 – 18 kg (22 – 39.6 pounds)
Gestation: 70 – 75 days
Lifespan: 10 – 13 years
Weight: 10 – 18 kg (22 – 39.6 pounds)
Gestation: 70 – 75 days
Serval’s diet
and feeding:
Rodents such as rats, mice and shrews form the greater part of the serval’s
diet. Other prey species include birds, reptiles, hares, hyrax (dassie), fish
and frogs.
The serval’s large ears are capable of picking up the slightest of sounds
of prey moving on the ground. Nearby prey is pounced on for the kill.
They are also capable of detecting the sound of rodents moving through
shallow underground burrows which are then dug out to feast on.
Servals Predators:
Leopard, Lion, Spotted Hyena, dogs and humans.
The Interesting facts on
Servals
Their name
originates from the Portuguese word ‘serval’, meaning “wolf deer”.
Servals are
also known by the nicknames “bush cat” and Giraffe cat”.
These cats
are superb jumpers and will leap into the air to catch birds.
Most cats
have about a 10% success rate when hunting for prey, the serval has a 50%
success rate.
Of all the
cats in the world, the serval has the largest ears and longest legs in
proportion to its body.
Servals are
extremely quick on their feet, running at a top speed of 80km per hour (50miles
per hour)
These
beautiful cats are a very popular as pets and have been bred with domestic cats
to create a species of cat known as the Savannah.
Servals
were worshiped by ancient Egyptians for their power and grace.
Sadly these beautiful creatures are killed by
humans for their skins which are sold as young cheetah skins which are very
rare.