Serval Facts

 
  
Latin name: Leptailurus serval

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.