Serval Natural History
Size
Servals are approximately 54cm to 62cm tall and weigh between 9 and 18 kg, with males typically larger than females. They have the longest legs of any cat relative to their body.
Habitat and Distribution
They can be found in grasslands and around wetlands across Central and Southern Africa. They prefer hunting in the tall grass and using their ambush skills to sneak up on prey.
Age
They can live up to 10 years of age in the wild but around 20 years old in captivity.
Diet
These cats are carnivores and hunt small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. Their ears can rotate 180 degrees and they can leap 2m in the air to catch their prey. They rely on stealth and surprise to catch a meal and have a very high success rate (50%) compared to other cat species.
Groups and Breeding
These cats are solitary in the wild and only come together to breed. Breeding can occur all year round and the females can have between 1-4 kittens after a 74 day gestation period. The mother will typically raise the young by herself and keep them hidden in vegetation until they are weaned at 6 months old. The young will be independent at the age of 1 years old and ready to fend for themselves.
Threats
Servals face threats from habitat destruction and are often captured for the illegal pet trade. The IUCN Red List classes this species as Least Concern.
Interesting Facts
They are very versatile hunters. They are very well adapted to both hunting in the tall grass and high up in trees. These small, slender cats are notable for their spotted coats, big ears, and long legs. They are sometimes called “giraffe cats” due to their long legs and spots.
The Servals During Your Day Out in Kent
We are home to two servals, a male and a female called Maggie and Michael. They can be found in our little Himalaya habitat, opposite our moon bear enclosure.
The more you know…
Want to know more about these animals? Check out our keeper blogs about them below.