Serval Cat
(Leptailarus serval)

The serval, a member of the cat family and similar to a bobcat, is well-adapted to hunting small prey in long grass in parts of Africa: its legs are slim and relatively long. It stands about 0.6m at the shoulder. Males weigh up to 18 kg and females up to 13kg.

Small mammals, especially rodents, are the serval’s main prey. Larger rodents are preferred, particularly swamp rats and also Nile rats. Birds, reptiles, fish, and insects are also taken, but only when rodents cannot be found.

The serval locates prey in tall grass or reeds primarily by hearing. It makes a high leap as it pounces on a prey animal, striking it on impact to prevent escape. A single pounce may span up to 4 meters and may be over a meter high. Another type of leap is vertical: birds and insects are seized from the air by "clapping" the front paws together or striking with a downward blow.

Servals are mainly active at twilight, resting in mid-day and occasionally at night, though servals on farmland in South Africa are mostly active at night, possibly a response to human disturbance.