Serval

Serval

Serval

Serval [1]
In the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Carnivora
Family:
Felidae
Genus:
Leptailurus
Species:
Leptailurus serval

The serval (Leptailurus serval) is a medium-sized wild cat which lives in sub-Saharan Africa. It is the only species in its genus.

Description

The serval has the longest legs of all cats, relative to its size.[3] Not only can it run fast, but it is an amazing jumper: two to three metres from a standing start.

Its length as an adult is about 32 inches (body) and 16 inches (tail). It weighs about forty pounds.[4] There are a number of subspecies, and its geographical range is from the Cape of South Africa to Algeria, wherever the circumstances are right for it.

It is lightly built, with very large ears and long legs. The back of the ears is black with a big white spot, and the tip of the tail is black. These signs serve as signals to other servals, including kittens.[4]

Habitat

The serval needs access to water, and dense grassland. Reed beds, scrub or high grass are typical habitats. It is territorial.[4]

Hunting and diet

A serval from the Sabi Sands area of South Africa. The large ears help to hear small prey in the grass
A serval seen from behind: the white markings on the ears (ocelli) can be seen by following kittens

The serval is nocturnal, and hunts mostly at night. The serval is an opportunistic predator whose diet includes rodents, hares, hyraxes, birds, reptiles, insects, fish, and frogs.[5]

As part of its adaptations for hunting in the savannas, the serval's long legs help it achieve a top speed of 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph), and has large ears with acute hearing. Its long legs and neck allow the serval to see over tall grasses, while its ears are used to detect prey, even those burrowing underground. Servals have been known to dig into burrows in search of underground prey, and to leap 2 to 3 metres (7 to 10 ft) into the air to grab birds in flight.[6] Using its spectacular jumping ability, the serval leaps into the air and bats the bird with its front paws. When the bird is on the ground, it bites its neck, killing it.

Like most cats, the serval is a solitary animal. It travels as much as 3 to 4 kilometres (1.9 to 2.5 mi) each night in search of food. The female defends home ranges of 9.5 to 19.8 square kilometres (3.7 to 7.6 sq mi), depending on local prey availability. The male defends larger territories of 11.6 to 31.5 square kilometres (4.5 to 12.2 sq mi), and marks its territory by spraying urine onto bushes.

References

  1. ↑ Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 540. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ↑ Breitenmoser C. Henschel P. & Sogbohossou E. (2008). "Leptailurus serval". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2008. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 22 March 2009. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
  3. ↑ African Wildlife Foundation
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Sayer, Angela & Findlay, Michael 1979. The encyclopedia of the cat. London: Chancellor, p30/31. ISBN 1-85152-923-3
  5. ↑ Serval: San Diego Zoo factsheet
  6. ↑ Sunquist, Mel & Sunquist, Fiona 2002. Wild cats of the World. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 142–151. ISBN 0-226-77999-8

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