African Serval Cats - Valley Stable & Exotics African Serval Cats Serval Cat (Felis serval)or(Leptailarus serval) Family Order: Felidae Carnivora Local names: Mondo (Kiswahili), Emmondo (Luganda and many other languages), Monzo (Kirabai), Engalirao (Lukonjo), Orumberembere (Lugbara), Munjuli (Kinyiha), rndama mweli (Luhya), Lutuku (Lugisu), Kurrbalit (Sebel), Kworo (Lwo), Bisdinaad (Somali) Measurements head and body: 67 – 100 cm height: 54 – 62 cm weight: 13 (10 – 18) kg males 11 (8.7 – 12.5) kg females Color– Spotted patterns of brown, tan, and black (Miniature Cheetah) Weight– 18 LB. TO 44 LB. Height– Average of 24 inches at shoulders; long slender legs and body Life Span– Approx.

20 years Disposition– Curious, adaptable, playful through out their entire life. They bond closely as kittens for a life long relationship with their owners. Each individual cat has it’s own distinct personality. Housing– Your home is all that is necessary for a single Serval kept as a house cat but an additional outside enclosure is nice for the feline. The Serval can be litter trained just as the common domestic house cat. Some Servals sleep with their owners and for some this is fun and enjoyable however, a thirty pound cat on a three A.M. hunting excursion through your bedroom can be a memorable experience! Feed Requirements– We recommend Zu-Preem brand feline diet, which is specifically designed for non-domestic felidae, as the sole source of feed and nourishment for the Serval. Occasionally, some of the Hills Science Feline-CD Diet is a good idea because its hard dry texture is beneficial to the Servals dental health. This is a good preventative measure as you will find most dentists reluctant to treat these fuzzy friendly felines!! The average adult Serval will consume approx.

$25.00 dollars worth of Zu-Preem per month which is very comparable to the usual feed cost for the common family pet “Rover”. Both of the above mentioned feeds can be purchased from your local veterinarian’s office. Health Care– An identical regimen of annual vaccinations and worming programs ,as is required by the common American Short Hair, is all that is necessary to keep the Serval maintained in excellent health. We do recommend having all four paws of your Serval declawed between four to six months of age. The best description one can give a person that has no idea what an African Serval Cat is would be to say it looks like a miniature cheetah. Most people have seen a cheetah on the Discovery Channel or a National Geographic special, so this at least gives them some idea of what the creature looks like. Of course, the size of the two felines is quite different along with many other differences but the colors and markings of the two felines are similar and a good starting point. To be more specific, the Serval is one of the few spotted cats not on the endangered species list.

The formal biological description of the Serval would be: FAMILY:-felidae, ORDER:-carnivora, SPECIES-felis(leptailurus)serval. The species was formerly termed Leptailurus Serval, with a sub-species called the Servaline because of the different color pattern (more numerous smaller sized spots) until both were found in the same areas of Africa and eventually found to be present in a single litter of cubs. The differences have now been attributed to the slightly different camouflage needed in the different geographical areas in which the cat resides. However, even though it has been determined that these cats with smaller but more numerous spots are not in fact a subspecies, I still hear the term “Servaline-like” used to describe this pattern of markings. Richard Green, in Wild Cat Species of the World, eloquently describes the Serval as a medium sized elegant looking cat with very long legs, a relatively small head, and very large ears. The ground color of the coat is yellowish buff with under parts pale, almost white. There are black spots on the body which merge into stripes on the neck and upper part of the back.

The short tail has spots, which become rings towards the tip, whilst the tip itself is black. The backs of the ears are black with white centers and there are collar markings in the form of black stripes. An adult Serval weighs between 18lbs and 44lbs on average, with the female being slightly smaller in overall size. An adult Serval stands approx. 24″ at the shoulders and is close to three feet long. The neck can be stretched upwards or to the side appearing unusually long. This of course enhances the hunting ability of the cat in the wild as it looks for it’s favorite prey, rodents, in tall grasses. The extra long legs, especially in the front, help the Serval to reach into rodent holes to capture prey. The metatarsals of the Serval are extra long as opposed to the elongated forearm of the Cheetah. The Cheetah’s longer legs serve to provide greater speed where the Servals gives them more reaching capacity. This isn’t to say Servals aren’t fast but they do not quite posses the Cheetah’s speed.

The Serval also feeds on birds and is quite proficient at catching them as they have been noted to jump nearly 15 feet straight up to catch a bird on the wing. In certain situations, the Serval has been known to work with a partner or two (usually male siblings) in order to take small antelope as prey, although the Serval in the wild is usually a solitary animal except during mating periods. Fish as well as rabbits are also high on the menu list for the Serval cat. As you will find out if you eventually own a Serval, they have a great fondness for playing in water which is quite an uncharacteristic trait for many cats. The Serval cat is distributed widely throughout Africa. They are most common in the open savannas, from lightly bushed country to forests, but particularly near marshy places or rivers. They also are found on high mountain moorlands. In the tall grass a Serval performs his signature style of pouncing up and down in pursuit of mice and other rodents. Their ears are not quite radar but close. Servals often hear their prey and react rather than reacting to the sight of their prey.

The Serval can supposedly hear the motion of a rodent as far as 20 feet away in the tall grasses of its natural environment. The Serval is mostly a nocturnal animal but sometimes can be diurnal. They are considered mostly a terrestrial cat, as its long legs testify, however it can easily climb trees making it arboreal as well. This is an example of the extreme adaptability of the African Serval Cat. The Serval makes a distinctive sound calling out what can be described as a “HOW-HOW-HOW!” This sound actually sounds like the loud chirp of a large bird more than it sounds like anything we would associate with any kind of cat. They also pant much like a dog and very unlike most felines. When aggravated the can become quite “Hissy”. My Servals have made noises much like a repetitive grunt when they get overly excited playing with a weed or something I am moving about on the ground. If they feel they are cornered or in danger they certainly have a growl just as does the lion or the common domestic house cat. However unusual, a Serval to most people is still a cat. Each with its own likes and dislikes and with its own individual personality.

If bottle raised, some are very close to a common “Lap Cat” while others, with the same up-bringing, don’t care much for being held for any length of time. Servals have been kept as pets in the past in Africa as well as many other parts of the world for thousands of years just as they have been hunted for their pelts during this same time period. I believe many of the Egyptian vases, so often seen and displayed, are fashioned after the Serval. The cats were kept by the Egyptians. I would assume for practical reasons such as to provide a defense for grains by being the great mousers they are. They were also kept to protect a dwelling from the evils of night until the Egyptian sun god, Rajh, arose in the morning light. When exactly the breeding in the U.S. of the Serval and the keeping of them as pets began, I haven’t been able to determine with any certainty. But I do know it was somewhere around the turn of the century. As the fur trade boomed in the 1920’s and 30’s, I am sure people took mercy on some and made pets of them.

East African Mammals, An Atlas of Evolution in Africa, published by Academic Press, London, mentions that the young will make handsome pets if reared from infancy. It also mentions Servals in captivity living to 19 years old and the females staying fertile until the age of fourteen. Much of the information in this text comes from studies done on Servals kept in captivity as early as 1951. I encourage everyone who owns a Serval to go to the library or the internet and take in as much information as they can on the activities of the African Serval Cat in the wild. This can only help one’s understanding of their instinctual behaviors, thus enhancing the relationship between the cat and human when put in the close relationship we refer to as “Pet” (Serval) and “Owner” (human). However, after living with Servals for sometime I feel sure that my Servals refer to me as “their human”. In my opinion, the Serval is the “top of the line” when it comes to choosing between the exotic cats which are commonly kept in captivity. They are only a little more than twice the size of a common domestic breed which makes their keeping a practical matter.

Yet, one couldn’t ask for a more unusual and exotic looking pet. They are much more adaptable to new environments and people than many of the other exotic felines and breed very well in captivity. They are extremely playful with each other as well as with humans they are familiar with. If a Serval is raised from infancy with a great deal of attention and loving care it has been my personal experience that, although they are still a wild creature and not by definition domesticated, they can become comparatively as tame and friendly as many species of animals which are termed domestic. Their feeding requirements and healthcare is similar in cost to that of the domestic cat which once again promotes the Serval as the “top of the line” exotic cat to be kept as a pet or as a propagator of its species. The best description one can give a person that has no idea what an African Serval Cat is, would be to say it looks like a miniature cheetah. Most people have seen a Cheetah on the Discovery Channel or a National Geographic special, so this at least gives them some idea of what the creature looks like.

Of course, the size of the two felines is quite different along with many other differences, but the colors and markings of the two felines are similar, and is a good starting point. To be more specific, the Serval is one of the few spotted cats not on the endangered species list. The formal biological description of the Serval would be: FAMILY:-felidae, ORDER:-carnivora, SPECIES-felis(leptailurus)serval. The species was formerly termed Leptailurus Serval, with a sub-species called the Servaline because of the different color pattern (more numerous smaller sized spots) until both were found in the same areas of Africa and eventually found to be present in a single litter of cubs. The differences have now been attributed to the slightly different camouflage needed in the different geographical areas in which the cat resides. However, even though it has been determined that these cats with smaller but more numerous spots are not in fact a subspecies, I still hear the term “Servaline-like” used to describe this pattern of markings.

Richard Green, in WILD CAT SPECIES of the WORLD, eloquently describes the Serval as a medium sized elegant looking cat with very long legs, a relatively small head and very large ears. The ground color of the coat is yellowish buff with under parts pale, almost white. There are black spots on the body which merge into stripes on the neck and upper part of the back. The short tail has spots, which become rings towards the tip, whilst the tip itself is black. The backs of the ears are black with white centers and there are collar markings in the form of black stripes. An adult Serval weighs between 18lbs. and 44lbs. on average, with the female being slightly smaller in overall size. An adult Serval stands approx. Teresa with Serval24″ at the shoulders and is close to three feet long. The neck can be stretched upwards or to the side appearing unusually long. This of course enhances the hunting ability of the cat in the wild as it looks for it’s favorite prey, rodents, in tall grasses. The extra long legs, especially in the front, help the Serval to reach into rodent holes to capture prey.

The metatarsals of the Serval are extra long as opposed to the elongated forearm of the Cheetah. The Cheetah’s longer legs serve to provide greater speed where the Servals gives them more reaching capacity. This isn’t to say Servals aren’t fast but they do not quite posses Cheetah speed. The Serval also feeds on birds and is quite proficient at catching them as they have been noted to jump nearly 15 feet straightServals in grass up to catch a bird on the wing. In certain situations, the Serval has been known to work with a partner or two (usually male siblings), in order to take small antelope as prey, although the Serval in the wild is usually a solitary animal except during mating periods. Fish as well as rabbits are also high on the menu list for the Serval cat. As you will find out if you eventually own a Serval, they have a great fondness for playing in water which is quite an uncharacteristic trait for many cats. The Serval cat is distributed widely throughout Africa. They are most common in the open savannas, from lightly bushed country to forests, but particularly near marshy places or rivers.

They also are found on high mountain moorlands. In the tall grass a Serval performs his signature style of pouncing up and down in pursuit of mice and other rodents. Their ears are not quite radar’s but close. Servals often hear their prey and react rather than reacting to the sight of their prey. The Serval can supposedly hear the motion of a rodent as far as 20 feet away in the tall grasses of it’s natural environment. The Serval is mostly a nocturnal animal but sometimes can be diurnal. They are considered mostly a terrestrial cat, as it’s long legs testify, however it can easily climb trees making it arboreal as well. This is an example of the extreme adaptability of the African Serval Cat. The Serval makes a distinctive sound calling out what can be described as a (HOW-HOW-HOW!). This sound actually sounds like the loud chirp of a large bird more than it sounds like anything we would associate with any kind of cat. They also pant much like a dog and very unlike most felines. When aggravated the can become quite “Hissy”.

My Servals have made noises much like a repetitive grunt when they get overly excited playing with a weed or something I am moving about on the ground. If they feel they are cornered or in danger they certainly have a growl just as does the lion or the common domestic house cat. However unusual a Serval is to most people, it is still a cat. Each with its own likes and dislikes and with its own individual personality. If bottle raised, some are very close to a common “Lap Cat” while others, with the same up-bringing, don’t care much for being held for any length of time. Servals have been kept as pets in the past in Africa as well as many other parts of the world for thousands of years just as they have been hunted for their pelts during this same time period. I believe many of the Egyptian vases, so often seen and displayed, to be fashioned after the Serval. The cats were kept by the Egyptians. I would assume for practical reasons such as to provide a defense for grains by being the great mousers they are. They were also kept to protect a dwelling from the evils of night until the Egyptian sun god, Rajh, arose in the morning light.

When exactly the breeding in the U.S. of the Serval began and the keeping of them as pets in the U.S. began, I haven’t been able to determine with any certainty. But I do know it was somewhere around the turn of the century. As the fur trade boomed in the 1920’s and 30’s, I am sure people took mercy on some and made pets of them. East African Mammals, An Atlas of Evolution in Africa, published by Academic Press, London, mentions that the young will make handsome pets if reared from infancy. It also mentions Servals in captivity living to 19 years old and the females staying fertile until the age of fourteen. Much of the information in this text comes from studies done on Servals kept in captivity as early as 1951. I encourage everyone who owns a Serval to go to the library or the internet and take in as much information as they can on the activities of the African Serval Cat in the wild.

This can only help one’s understanding of their instinctual behaviors, thus enhancing the relationship between the cat and human when put in the close relationship we refer to as “Pet” (Serval) and “Owner” (human). However, after living with Servals for sometime I feel sure that my Servals refer to me as, “their human”. In my opinion, the Serval is the “top of the line” when it comes to choosing between the exotic cats which are commonly kept in captivity. They are only a little more than twice the size of a common domestic breed which makes their keeping a practical matter. Yet, one couldn’t ask for a more unusual and exotic looking pet. They are much more adaptable to new environments and people than many of the other exotic felines and breed very well in captivity. They are extremely playful with each other as well as with humans they are familiar with. If a Serval is raised from infancy with a great deal of attention and loving care it has been my personal experience that, although they are still a wild creature and not by definition domesticated, they can become comparatively as tame and friendly as many species of animals which are termed domestic.

Their feeding requirements and healthcare is similar in cost to that of the domestic cat which once again promotes the Serval as the “top of the line” exotic cat to be kept as a pet or as a propagator of its species. PURCHASING YOUR AFRICAN SERVAL CAT Valley Exotics Serval Guarantee All kittens are bottle fed and hand raised with lots of human exposure and T.L.C.! Prices include: Your bottle fed & hand raised kitten as well as a Vet. Health Certificate (breeders of live animals can not guarantee a life span; however, a buyer has 48 hours after they take possession of their Serval to take the kitten to a veterinarian of their choice so at that POINT IN TIME; Valley Stables and Exotics, our vet., the buyer, and the buyer’s vet. ALL AGREE this is a healthy kitten.), USDA Point of Origin Papers, and post-purchase support to help with any questions that may arise. Transportation via Delta Pet First Live Animal Cargo for all continental U.S. customers. Our goal is a HAPPY BUYER, a HEALTHY KITTEN, and HOLDING THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF INTEGRITY, while representing the Exotic Alternative Livestock Industry.

We will do all we can to earn your repeat business and your personal recommendation to your friends and associates! U.S.D.A.- USDA BREEDER LICENSED FACILITY U.S.D.I.-U.S. Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Import/Export License U.S.D.I.-U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Management Authority-C.I.T.E.S. Permits Acquired for International Sales BeSpotted F1 Savannah & African Serval Program� Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions. You can easily reach me at: Vickie Ehrlekrona BeSpotted African Servals INFO SITE Owning A Serval As A Pet Not a pet for the faint of heart... Servals are unique and beautiful creatures, however owning a Serval is not for the faint of heart and owning such a special and exotic cat should never be taken lightly. A Serval should be and are considered an exotic animal species and it doesn't necessarily make an ideal pet for everyone. They have needs that may not be the same as animals a person has cared for in the past. Anyone who thinks they desire to own one as a lifetime companion needs to take the time to learn all they can before making the decision to acquire one.

If you are materialistic and particular about your home being maintained extremely pristine then a Serval may not be a good choice for you. Some things that simply have to be considered before purchasing a Serval are #1 are they legal for you to own in your city, county, state and #2 is your lifestyle able to accommodate an exotic cat not the other way around; it's nutrition, housing, and permits among other things. Servals require a life time of dedication and care and they need owners that are willing to go that extra mile to ensure that they are healthy, stimulated, safe, secure and happy. Let's take a look at the "wild" side of the picture... The African Serval can be a wonderful addition to any responsible family, and with proper training and socialzing they can make a very affectionate pet in the right kind of situation. Any potential owner must first get their head "around" the fact that the African Serval is not domestic cat, never will be, can not be trained to be, nor should be treated as such.

As the owner of a Serval an owner must remember that a Serval will always be a tamed "wild animal." Now this does not mean that they will be aggressive or vicious towards humans, rather they are "instinctively" born wild animals that have certain characteristics that they have developed in order to survive and thrive in the wild. In spite of being a wild, exotic animal these incredible animals with proper socialization and training from a very young age they can live in harmony with humans. What an owner must remember is that when they are treated properly, they can and will bond with their caregivers like no other animal they have ever owned. They think of you as "their" pet and they will treat you like no other cat does, HOWEVER with this incredible loyalty comes hard work on an owner's part to ensure they have thought through what it takes to own and properly care for a Serval. When the ancestors of today's domestic cats were first tamed and began to live around humans they did not have the same personality that you see in domestic cats today. The first domestic cats were shy of humans but realized that mice and rats lived near humans because humans stored food. So they had a ready supply of mice & rats for food.

The humans wanted the cats around to keep their food from being eaten by the rodents. The cats that were the least afraid of humans and the friendliest were the ones that were kept in the homes and food storage areas. The cats no longer had to be "smart" to survive. The cats that survived with humans were the ones that were not afraid. Domestic cats are a branch of the cat family that evolved without having to be particularly intelligent because they were protected by humans. In the wild, cats had to be smart to survive. By natural selection, the cats which were smartest were the ones who lived to reproduce and each generation became smarter. This is why the serval and other wild cats are very smart and do things that most people would never believe that they have the intelligence for but nature is smarter than all of us and it drives us to adapt instints needed to maintain a species. Let's take a look at the "bigger" picture... Every Serval is different and an individual in it's own right, however it can be safely assumed that most Servals will have a quirk or two, and will demand regular attention if you want them to remain manageable and "domesticated".

Servals are solitary by nature so you simply canï¿½t leave them in the back yard in a kennel for long periods of time, and expect them to remain tame and obedient. As with any animal that lacks attention from humans they will revert back to the animals they were born to be in the wild. The Serval needs outside/inside facilities with a large enough exercise area to run, and exercise, a pond or pool in which to swim, explore and dive, and an area with lots of climbing possibilities. Servals are notorious escape artists and they will escape from anything that is not totally secure and are unlikely to return once having escaped. It has been documented that Servals have lived to be over 20 years old in captivity, and they require a life long commitment of time and love years after the novelty of that cute spotted kitten wears off. Because they bond so deeply with their initial care givers Servals do not re-home easily so the decision to purchase and own a Serval as a pet must be taken seriously and with the thought of the lifetime of cat in mind.

Re-homing may make it hard for the serval if you decide that you cannot care for it anymore and your decision could lead to years of distrust, heartache, and frustration for the cat and new owner. A serval kitten may bond with you but as an adult may never bond with another person for the rest of its life so while some servals may be able to bond with a new owner as adults that is not always the case or guaranteed and at best, bonding with a new owner takes time. It can easily be assumed that not many people want to spend decades caring for an animal that they canï¿½t have a relationship with so please bear this in mind and realize that a Serval may live two decades and the serval will depend on you for that length of time. So when you accept the responsibility of caring for any animal like a Serval, an owner must realize that this beautiful animal depends on you not just for food, shelter and medical care, but it also depends on you for companionship and nurturing.

The Serval will literally depend on you for it's lifetime and you need to be ready to dedicate whatever length of time that is to properly caring for and nurturing it and like the vows of a strong and faithful marriage your commitment to your Serval should be "until death do us part". ï¿½Vickie Ehrlekrona ~ BeSpotted All rights reserved For what you have tamed." ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery ~ Serval Kittens For Sale: Exotic African wild cats | Top breeders | Pets4You.com Add Me The Wild Serval Cat The Serval Leptailurus Serval, known in Afrikaans as Tierboskat or "tiger-forest-cat," is an African wild cat. DNA studies have shown that the Serval is closely related to the African Golden Cat and the Caracal. Serval cats are classified as one of the largest of small exotic cats. Although they are true wild cats, they have been officially bred in captivity for more than thirty years now.

However, the domestication of the Serval cat goes much further back in history, since it has been documented that the Egyptians kept Serval cats as mousers, which is definitely one of their most highly-developed skills— and the Serval cat appears in ancient Egyptian paintings, murals, and sculptures. The Serval is a medium-sized wild cat, measuring 23 to 36 inches in head-body length, with a relatively short tail (7.9 to 15 inches), and a shoulder height of about 21 to 26 inches. It is a strong yet slender animal with long legs. The head is small in relation to its body, and the tall, oval ears are set close together. The pattern of the fur is variable. Usually, the Serval is boldly spotted black on tawny, with two or four stripes running from the top of the head down the neck and back, transitioning into spots. The "Servaline" form has much smaller, freckled spots, and was once thought to be a separate species, though it is not. The backs of the ears are black with a distinctive white bar.

In addition, "melanistic" Servals are quite common in some areas, looking similar in appearance to the black panther (a.k.a., the melanistic leopard). White Servals have never been documented in the wild and only four have ever been documented in captivity. One was born and died at the age of two weeks in Canada in the early 1990s. The other three, all males, were born at "Wildlife on Easy Street," a non-profit corporation dedicated to the case of exotic cats and other endangered animals, in 1997 and 1999. Servals have the longest legs of any cat relative to their body size. Most of the length is due to the greatly elongated metatarsal bones in the feet. The toes are also elongated, and unusually mobile, which helps the animal to capture partially concealed prey. Another distinctive feature of the Serval is the presence of very large ears and large auditory equipment in the skull, indicating a particularly acute sense of hearing. Weight ranges from about fifteen to twenty-six pounds in females, and from twenty to forty pounds in males. The Serval is native to Africa, where it is widely distributed south of the Sahara.

It was once also found in Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. Its main wild habitat is the savanna (a grassy plain in tropical and subtropical regions, with few trees), although melanistic Servals are more usually found in mountainous areas at elevations up to 9,800 ft. The Serval needs water within its territory, so it does not live in semi-deserts or dry steppes. Servals also avoid dense equatorial jungles, although they may be found along forest fringes. They are able to climb and swim, but seldom do so. Like many cats, Servals are able to purr. The Serval also has a high-pitched chirp, and can hiss, cackle, growl, grunt, and meow. Threat displays between hostile wild Servals are often highly exaggerated, with the animals flattening their ears and arching their backs, baring their teeth, and nodding their heads vigorously. In direct confrontation, they lash out with their long forelegs and make sharp barking sounds and loud growls. The greatest source of information on raising Serval cats as pets would be an actual breeder/owner of a Serval cattery.

A breeder with great knowledge and information is John K. Babb, the owner of Valley Stables and Exotic Servals in Berea, Kentucky. John K. Babb is wholeheartedly enthusiastic about his Serval cats, as are many satisfied buyers of his kittens, who have written fascinating and often very funny testimonials about their own Servals. His website, which follows this article, contains a fantastic amount of information about the Serval, which is used with John's express permission. "The Serval makes a distinctive sound when it calls out that can be described as a 'HOW-HOWHOW!' This sound is more like the loud chirp of a large bird than a sound we would normally associate with any kind of cat. They also pant much like dogs – very unlike most felines. When aggravated, they can become quite 'hissy.' "My Servals have made noises much like a repetitive grunt when they get overly excited playing with a weed or something I am moving about on the ground," Babb adds. If they feel they are cornered or in danger, they certainly have a growl, just as does the lion or the common domestic house cat. "However unusual a Serval is to most people, it is still a cat.

Each has its own likes and dislikes and its own individual personality. If bottle-raised, some kittens come very close to behaving like common 'lap cats,' while others, with the same upbringing, don't care much for being held for any length of time. "Servals have been kept as pets in the past in Africa as well as many other parts of the world for thousands of years, just as they have been hunted for their pelts during this same time period. In Egyptian history, Servals were kept not just as terrific mousers—they were also kept to protect a dwelling from the evils of night until the Egyptian sun god, Rajh, arose in the morning light. "When exactly the breeding in the U.S. of the Serval began and the keeping of them as pets in the U.S. began, I haven't been able to determine with any certainty. But I do know it was somewhere around the turn of the century. As the fur trade boomed in the 1920s and 30s, I am sure people took mercy on some and made pets of them.

'East African Mammals, An Atlas of Evolution in Africa,' published by Academic Press, London, mentions that the young will make handsome pets if reared from infancy. It also mentions Servals in captivity living to be nineteen years old, and the females staying fertile until the age of fourteen. Much of the information in this text comes from studies done on Servals kept in captivity as early as 1951. "I encourage everyone who owns a Serval to go to the library or the Internet and take in as much information as they can on the activities of the African Serval Cat in the wild. This can only help one's understanding of their instinctual behaviors, thus enhancing the relationship between the cat and human when put in the close relationship we refer to as "Pet" (Serval) and "Owner" (human). "There is no federal law to prohibit or restrict in any way the private ownership of a Serval as a pet.

They are not an endangered species, with the exception of one sub-species known as the 'Barbary Serval,' however I have never known of one of these to even be within the U.S." (Note: in spite of there being no federal law prohibiting Serval ownership, prospective owners should be sure to check their own state and local ordinances before buying one.) "In my opinion, the Serval is the 'top of the line' when it comes to choosing among the exotic cats that are commonly kept in captivity. They are only a little more than twice the size of a common domestic breed, which makes keeping them as a "pet" a practical matter. Yet one couldn't ask for a more unusual and exotic-looking animal. They are much more adaptable to new environments and people than many of the other exotic felines and breed very well in captivity. "They are extremely playful with each other as well as with humans with whom they are familiar.

If a Serval is raised from infancy with a great deal of attention and loving care, it has been my personal experience that, although they are still a wild creature and not by definition domesticated, they can become comparatively as tame and friendly as many species of animals which are termed 'domestic.' Their feeding requirements and health care are similar in cost to that of the domestic cat, which once again promotes the Serval as the 'top of the line' exotic cat to be kept as a pet or as a propagator of its species." For much more detailed information, and to inquire about Serval kittens for sale, please see the listings on this page as well as Valley Stables and Exotic Servals . With Thanks To: Valley Stables and Exotic Servals Have Reputable Breeders Contact You Instantly × �This site is served, operated and maintained by Pets4You.com® All rights reserved. Copyright ©2006-2016 The Savannah Cat - Cat Breeds Encyclopedia Cat Breeds Encyclopedia THE SAVANNAH CAT Portrait of a Savannah Cat The Savannah cat is an amazing creature that looks like a wild cat because it actually has a wildcat's blood in it's veins.

The Savannah cat is the result of crossing a domestic cat with a serval, which is a wild species of cat from Africa. Therefore it is a hybrid - a cross between two different species- and not an actual breed. Because of this, there may be local restrictions or requirements in regards to ownership that you should learn about. The hybrid was first attempted in the late 1980's when a breeder successfully mated a serval with a domestic Siamese cat. The result was the Savannah cat, an extraordinary creature with large ears, powerful, long limbs and a stunning, spotted coat. Savannahs are classified by how many generations they are removed from the wild serval. An F1 is the offspring of a direct mating of a serval and a domestic cat. The "F" stands for "fillial" which designates the generations removed from the serval cat. There are F1, F2, F3, F4 etc. generations, depending on what percentage of the kitten is serval. F4 and F5 Savannahs make the most reasonable pets for folks looking for just a little wild. They have less than ten percent serval in their system and are generally quite manageable.

Since these are hybrids, there are sterility problems, and the basic issues that present themselves when breeding different species. All Savannahs have a percentage of wild serval in them, but the generation that they are will dictate many variations in size, coloring and temperament. In addition to potentially being quite a handful, these cats can be very, very expensive, with some F1's costing many thousands of dollars. This is a commitment that should not be undertaken without a great deal of thought and preparation, not just for the monetary output, but for the time and energy it takes to keep these cats mentally stimulated. They are extremely active and must have copious amounts of exercise or they may become destructive and even aggressive. SAVANNAH CAT-STATS How Do You Describe a Savannah Cat? SAVANNAH CAT PERSONALITY The personality of the Savannah cat is often very dog-like. They love games and tricks and love to fetch, which is a great way to work off some of their energy. Savannahs are known for becoming extremely attached to their families, and are notorious "head-butters" greeting their loved ones this way on a regular basis.

The Savannah cat is not recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), the world's largest cat organization. They are recognized by the TICA, another large organization and are one of the most popular "exotic" cat breeds. These cats are usually very large and retain a wild look that is very attractive. They have very long legs, and depending on the generation, can have very large ears as well. The Savannah can make an amazing pet in the right environment, but requires lots of stimulation and, ideally, room to roam. If left alone, even for short periods, they may become destructive and with their size, strength, and leaping abilities its tough to keep them off of or out of places. A secure cat pen outdoors would be greatly appreciated by this active cat. And many owners choose to crate their Savannah when away from home to avoid "events" like demolished sofas. Savannahs have a very dog-like personality and enjoy learning tricks, playing fetch and walking on a leash. Shedding may be very high and regular grooming is desired.

These are graceful, magnificent, very large-sized cats that have few breed-related health issues, although medications and anesthesia should be administered sparingly due to the tendency of the liver to be smaller than a domestic cat. Some breeders recommend a special diet for these cats as well. Because they are a very active animal, and a domestic/wild hybrid, the Savannah may not be suitable for a family with children or additional pets. Research very carefully and have lots of exposure to both kittens and adults before taking the plunge. -Savannah Cat Facts F2 Savannah cat Savannah Kitten! Savannah kittens are powerful, energetic and independent, even at an early age. They are compelled to explore everyting and everywhere and will play till they absolutely collapse exhausted on the carpet or across your lap. Kitten-proofing is an absolute neccessity before bringing a Savannah kitten home. A firm hand is required to clarify boundaries and establish routine with Savannahs. They are very strong-willed, even when tiny. In appearance, Savannah kittens look very much like adults. They take a very long time to grow and may not reach full size till they are five years old. Males get quite a bit larger than females, and male kittens usually have very large paws.

These are very expensive and rare kittens and finding a breeder may be tricky. Savannah cats are priced according to the percentage of serval cat that they are, and can be many thousands of dollars. Be careful of exotic kitten scams where photos of show-quality kittens are displayed and huge deposits are requested. Silver Savannah cat SAVANNAH CAT BREED STANDARD F1 Savannah Cat The appearance of Savannah cats varies greatly depending on how many generations removed from the wild African serval cat an individual may be. Head Shape: The head is a broad, modified wedge shape, with rounded contours, triangular when viewed from the front and with a small chin. The head is slightly small for the body size. Ears vary depending upon generation, large with rounded tips. Eye spots on the backs of the ears are highly desirable. The eyes are almond shaped, large, gold, green or orange in color. Serval Cat Body and Tail: Large size body, well muscled, powerfully built, and longer than tall. Legs are long Feet should be medium size and oval shaped with long toes. Five toes in front and four in back. The tail should be 3/4 of the body length. Not whip-like. Coat: Short in length.

Dense and soft. Pattern: Wild pattern, tabby or tiger of different shades of brown and grey, clearly spotted is very desirable. Overall Appearance: This should be a hard-bodied and muscular cat with a long, powerful torso, and good bone. Wild looking, large, exotic. A FEW MORE SAVANNAH CAT FACTS F4 Savannah Cat The Savannah cat is not an actual breed, it is a hybrid - the result of cross-breeding between two different species- domestic cats and African servals F5 Silver Savannah Cat Serval - Leptailurus serval Serval Pictures of Servals It is estimated the North African Serval has been isolated from the sub-Sarahan species for a very long period - perhaps as long as 6,000 to 7,000 years with only a small isolated pocket existing there . Servals are becoming increasingly rare in North Africa with no confirmed sightings in the countries of Algeria, Morocco, or Tunisia since the late 1930s where they once flourished.

Servals who make the southern portion of Africa home live among a wide variety of habitats including the coastal areas, through into the savannah woodlands, ranging up into mountainous terrain up to 10,000 feet in elevation. Live Web Cams Free Snapshots The Serval's name originates from a Portuguese word meaning "wolf-deer". They do strike an unusual appearance - coats are light tan in color with beautiful dark spot markings that merge into longitudinal stripes. They have long legs for sprinting and jumping to catch those birds! Upon first impression from a distance they might be mistaken for a small deer and were perhaps so by the early Europeans traveling into Africa. Melanistic individuals do occur, particularly in moist climates and at extreme high altitudes of their range. Servals are crepuscular and nocturnal, but have been seen hunting during daylight hours particularly when caring for young. Social interaction is limited but they do travel and sleep together. Males in the South Africa have twice the size of range than their northern counterparts. Extremely territorial, male Servals patrol territory bounds frequently and have been observed scent marking as many as 40-50 times each hour.

Where the Cheetah uses their long legs for the world record speed chases, the Serval uses their long limbs to jump more in the fashion of an antelope - springing up out of high grass to catch prey in mid-air using their paws to make downward swipes at the target. Primary diet consists of these birds, rodents, snakes , reptiles, frogs and fish. Through the Serengeti each Serval is thought to consume over 4,000 rodents annually! Quite effective pest control, but on the receiving end they are also threatened by ingesting rodent prey that has been poisoned. Major threats to the Serval are man - primarily by poachers as Servals are still considered a dinner table delicacy through much of their range, wild dogs and leopards. Pelts taken are often sold as young Leopard or Cheetah pelts which are much less common. Serval body parts are still used in for tribal ceremonies and consumed to satisfy ancient medicinal beliefs. Wetland conservation is key to the Serval's long term survival and preservation of habitat, as is true with all of our Wild Cats and Great Cats of the world.

Hunting is prohibited in only 9 of the Serval's 41 range countries and the Serval is not considered an Endangered Species at the present time over most of its range. Overall the Serval species is listed by IUCN as Least Concern, with only the North African Serval listed as Endangered with the species as a whole listed on CITES Appendix II. Please be sure to check back often for coming attractions! You can be part of the beautiful world of nature and learn about these magnificent creatures just by logging on to the TigerHomes Animal website . As always, we hope you will take a moment to visit our Free Animal Web Cams featuring White Tigers , Golden Tigers , Bengal Tigers , Siberian Tigers , African Lions and Lemurs in naturalistic habitats complete with State-of-the-Art Viewer Snapshots. Enter your own Snapshot into our Viewer Gallery for a chance to win one of our Monthly Prizes or email your photo to a friend to Spread the Word about TigerHomes Sanctuary. Be sure to visit our TigerHomes Forum , voice your opinion and join in the fun! We hope you keep watching, listening & learning! Range: South Eastern Africa, Very limited Northern African population.

Average Weight: 9 - 19kg (20 - 40 lbs) Length: 91 - 135 cm (41-61") Diet: Carnivorous. Birds, rodents, snakes, reptiles, frogs and fish. Gestation Period: 65 - 78 Days Cub Maturity: 6 - 8 Months Cubs Per Litter: 1- 5 Kittens Lifespan: 10 - 12 years. Captive individuals have been recorded to live up to 20 years. Predators: Leopards, Man, Wild Dogs. Threat: Loss of Habitat, ingestion of poisoned prey. Social Structure: Solitary, but known to travel and sleep together. Territory Size: 40 - 72km (23 - 40 miles) Conservation Status: Overall Placed on CITES Appendix II. North African population listed by IUCN as Endangered. Hunting prohibited in 9 of 41 range countries.

Free Icons & Desktop Wallpaper PBS Online: Ngorongoro: Cradle Creatures Serval (Felis serval) In Ethiopia, it's known as the aner; in Malawi, the njuzi; in the Zulu nation, the ingwenkala. The English name "serval" comes from the Portuguese for the European lynx, "lobo-cerval." No matter what one calls it, the serval is one of the more unusual inhabitants of Ngorongoro, especially since it's so familiar looking. Aside from its oversized ears and thin frame, the serval resembles a domestic cat. Like a house cat, the serval is a predator, but in the wilds of Ngorongoro, it falls to the middle of the food chain. As a result, the serval has evolved incredibly acute hearing, its ears allowing it to pick up both prey and predators with remarkable accuracy. Servals have also developed physical abilities that far surpass those of house cats. Nothing provides more evidence of this than the serval's diet, which includes swamp rats, mice, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and insects.

Though you might catch it out and about in the early morning or late afternoon, the serval is predominantly nocturnal. Usually, a serval will hunt alone, but mother servals have been observed hunting with their young in tow, suggesting that the juveniles spend a long time at home before heading out on their own. Did you know? A young male serval was once observed rushing into a flock of flamingos, where it succeeded in killing one of the larger birds. Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) If you were to say that a wildebeest looks like a large antelope, you'd be right, because that's exactly what it is. The wildebeest isn't going to win any beauty contests in the near future; its long face, cow-like horns, and shaggy mane combine for one of the stranger appearances in the animal kingdom. Imagine herds of roaming wildebeests, and you've got one of the stranger sights in Ngorongoro. Most of the time, the wildebeest spends its time eating, drinking and making merry.

Eating consists of grazing on grasses, but when grass reserves run low, the wildebeest happily opts for the leaves of low-hanging trees. Herds are composed of small groups of females and their calves, and it's not uncommon for herds to overlap. Males, on the other hand, leave the herd when they're about a year old, and join what scientists refer to as "bachelor groups" of males. When they've matured completely, males go off on their own, marking off territory. Did you know? Wildebeests come in different colors, ranging from black to blue. (It's rumored that a red wildebeest is due out in the near future.) Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos t. tracheliotus) The lappet-faced vulture makes the wildebeest look like a beauty queen. Its featherless head looks old and haggard, an effect only amplified by the hanging skin flaps, or lappets, that give the vulture its name. The lappet is rather large, sometimes reaching nearly four feet in size, and is an ominous sight, with black feathering striped with white.

Other vultures find the approach of lappet disconcerting, since the bird is the largest of the vultures in Ngorongoro, and will drive off any competitors. As do other vultures, the lappet feeds on animal carcasses, dining on skin, ligaments, and small bones. The lappet is no dummy; when wildebeests abound, the bird will follow herds, awaiting the inevitable hunting of predators, and the resulting feasts. When it isn't eating, the lappet spends its time in trees, where it usually nests among large groups of birds. Did you know? The lappet-faced vulture is usually silent, but when feeding, it growls, yelps and grunts. Thomson's Gazelle (Gazella thomsonii) Any visitor to Ngorongoro who sees a gazelle is probably looking at a Thomson's gazelle, as it's among the most abundant gazelle species. They're not particularly large animals, standing between two to three feet tall, with males bigger than females. In addition to their size, males and females can be distinguished by the size and shape of their horns.

Males' horns are s-shaped, sometimes ringed, while females' are shorter, straight, and oftentimes broken or deformed. An abundant species needs an abundant food supply, which is why Thomson's gazelles feed mostly on grasses. Given a choice, the gazelles opt for greener grass, but will eat smaller vegetation if necessary. Thomson's gazelles range in herds of nearly 200 animals, but during times of migration, they comprise a stirring sight, with literally thousands of animals travelling together. When they run from place to place, Thomson's gazelles use a unique, stiff-legged bounce known as pronking. Pronking is especially useful during times of alarm, when a predator is in hot pursuit. The gazelle's ability to change direction quickly while pronking can be the difference between escape and death. Did you know? Male Thomson's gazelle's are extremely territorial, and will fight viciously to mark their territory and court females. Burchell's or Plains Zebra (Equus burchellii) How can you tell one zebra from another? From its stripes. In its own way, a zebra's stripes are like a person's fingerprints.

While to the lay person, all zebras look essentially the same, no two zebras have the same stripe pattern. In fact, zebra stripes vary according to herd and subspecies. Near the equator, zebras have much bolder, widely spread stripes, while in other geographic areas, they may lack stripes on most of their bodies. Scientists speculate about the function of a zebra's stripes, but while theories about camouflage exist, none have been proven. A zebra is a form of wild horse, and as such, exhibits many of the same behaviors of horses everywhere. Your average zebra is about four feet high at the shoulder, and while females are often the same size as males, males have noticeably thicker necks. Like domesticated horses, zebras feed by grazing. Scientists have catalogued more than 50 grass species that zebras will eat. When there is a lack of grasses, zebras will also eat other plants, such as herbs or leaves. Zebras are social animals, and live in family groups containing a stallion, one to several mares, and their offspring. On occasion, some stallions -- "bachelors" -- will live off on their own.

Often, family groups will congregate around water or grazing areas in large herds. Male zebras can be extremely territorial, both to bachelor zebras looking to mate and to predators. Scientists have observed zebras killing pursuing predators, such as hyenas, with a single kick. Did you know? Newborn zebras are able to stand on their own within 15 minutes of birth. Leopard (Panthera pardus) It's easy to confuse the leopard with the cheetah, since the two big cats are both peppered with spots. How can you tell them apart? For one thing, leopards are much bigger than cheetahs. In fact, the leopard's great size and muscularity directly result in a distinction: Leopards are much slower than cheetahs. But what the leopard lacks in speed, it makes up for in power. Leopards are strong -- so strong, in fact, that they will carry full-grown antelopes or even young giraffes high into trees to prevent other predators from eating them. Generally, leopards do their hunting at night. However, they will sometimes attack during the daytime hours if the right opportunity presents itself.

Prey varies depending on the region, but leopards prefer to eat small to medium-sized, plant-eating mammals, such as wildebeests and gazelles. If bigger animals can't be found, leopards can be extremely resourceful, eating everything from rabbits to insects. When you think of a big cat, you might imagine it growling. If you imagined a growling leopard, though, you'd be making a mistake. Leopards rarely make noise; usually, they're completely silent. The most common noise a leopard makes is what some describe as a hoarse, rasping cough, which is repeated. Usually, a leopard will make the cough to see if another leopard is nearby; if one is, it typically answers with a cough of its own. The only times a leopard will roar are when it's under stress, or when facing off against a territorial male (which can be stressful). Did you know? Like zebras and their stripes, no two leopards have the same spots. Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) Jackals are wily and opportunistic, and that combination of attributes makes them very effective hunters.

More than half of a jackal's diet consists of animal prey, but when rodents, reptiles, birds and even carrion can't be found, jackals will happily eat plants instead. The jackal has developed a sophisticated method for protecting its kills. If other animals arrive at a jackal's prey, the jackal will bury its kill meat and return for it later. Contrary to popular myth, jackals don't really travel in packs. Jackal groups normally consist of a mating male and female, and their offspring. A jackal family stakes out a one to two square mile area each year, and scouts out that area for food. The male and female jackal will usually hunt together, and the results are productive. On average, hunting pairs are three times more successful than individuals. Sometimes, younger jackals -- known as "helpers" -- will stay with their parents for a year after reaching sexual maturity. Helper jackals will deliver food to younger jackals while the parents are hunting. The presence of the helpers is what scientists point to for misinformed reports of pack activity. Did you know? Golden jackals are strictly nocturnal in areas inhabited by humans, but may be partly diurnal elsewhere.

Cheetah Serval | The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore The serval is a tall, slender, medium-sized cat with unusually long legs and large ears. Most servals are tawny with black spots and stripes, but some – like panthers – are all black. “Where I live” Servals are at home in tall grasslands, and are found in many types of grassy habitat throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Small, isolated populations have also been recorded in parts of northern Africa. Servals are most successful in moist grasslands such as marshes and reed beds, and are very unlikely to be seen in dense forest of any kind. They also are largely absent from the drier parts of the continent, including the Sahara. This species of serval is featured in the Maryland Zoo’s Animal Embassy collection. Zoo educators introduce the serval and other Animal Ambassadors to audiences in education programs on and off grounds. “How I live there” Servals are solitary cats that hunt and live alone. If ever they are spotted in a group, it is inevitably a mother with young, not several adults associating together. Unique and highly successful hunters, servals are most active at night, dawn, and dusk.

They prey upon rodents and other small animals that live in the grasses. Those who have seen servals in action describe them as very quick and surprisingly graceful. They are among the best pouncers in the business. They can pounce downward, landing with all fours on a mouse in the grass, or leap upward, grabbing a bird or insect in flight. Servals also have been seen bounding in random arabesques through tall grass, spooking prey into flight and then pouncing. The serval looks oddly put together, with legs that seem too long for its body, ears that seem too large for its head, and a coat that might have been lifted off a cheetah. Its physical appearance is no accident, though. This cat is well adapted for the life that it lives. Its enormous ears help it to locate prey rustling in the grass. Its long legs allow it to see above the grass line, scan for movement, and pounce when the time is right. Its spots and stripes help to break up its silhouette and camouflage it against a backdrop of grass or woodland cover. “Making my mark” All those who have seen a serval say that it could never be mistaken for any other cat. Its look is utterly unique.

“What eats me” Should a serval cross into the territory of a larger cat or other predator, it could easily become prey itself. However, little is mentioned of its predators in source material, which merely suggests that these cats have not been well studied in the wild. Raising young A female serval in heat attracts male companionship, but the two will come together only briefly before separating again and going about their solitary ways. Females give birth once or twice a year, usually to litters of one to four kittens after a gestation period of just over two months. A mother serval will shelter her vulnerable newborns in a rock den or perhaps in the abandoned burrow of an aardvark or porcupine. Despite the toll that motherhood takes on her – forcing her to hunt more and rest less – she will care for her kittens with great devotion for many months, even continuing to nurse them long after they are able to eat solid food. After about nine months or so, though, she will chase them off, sending the message that it is time to accept independence!

Conservation Because of relatively stable populations throughout much of its range, the serval is listed as a species of least concern by the IUCN, the world’s leading conservation organization. This does not mean, however, that servals are unthreatened. They are pressured mainly by the loss and degradation of wetlands, which serve them as important habitat. For similar reasons, they are also threatened by overgrazing and burning of grasslands. And while servals have adapted fairly well to agricultural lands, farmers may shoot and kill them. Servals have rarely been known to attack livestock, but poultry would be hard for them to resist. Quick Facts: Serval | SANBI Serval serval (English); tierboskat (Afrikaans); indlozi (isiNdebele, isiXhosa); ihlosi (isiZulu); tadi (Setswana); ndloti (Xitsonga); dindingwe (Tshivenda). Introduction The tallest of Africa’s small cats, with long legs and very prominent ears, servals have the ability to jump 2–3 m up in the air to pluck a bird in flight from the air.

How to recognise a serval The serval is a medium-sized, strong yet slender cat, measuring 54–66 cm at the shoulder and can be recognised by its large, almost oval-shaped ears and unique fur pattern. The fur is boldly spotted black on tawny, with two or four prominent black stripes from the top of the head down the head and back, transitioning into spots. The pattern varies among individuals. The tail is short, only about half the length of the hind leg, and the tip of the tail is black. The ears are black with a white line between them. Relative to its body size, it has the longest legs of any cat. The head is small in relation to the body. Body weight ranges from about 7 to 12 kg in females, and from 9 to 18 kg in males. Getting around Servals are primarily nocturnal hunters, though more diurnal than most cats. They are very active in the early morning hours, up to about 10:00 or 11:00, and again in the late afternoon, after 16:00 to 17:00 into the evening. They are specialists in catching rodents and birds in tall grass.

They not only can jump high and far, but they also have a wonderful ability to swerve and change direction at full speed. Communicating Servals, like many other cats are able to purr. They also make a high-pitched chirp, and can hiss, crackle, growl, grunt and meow. Chemical communication of adults is limited to scent marking emitted from urine and glands in the cheeks. During aggressive displays serval will throw its head up and down rather than sideways like most other cats, and an aggressor may prod its opponent with an outstretched foreleg. A female trying to persuade her kittens to go into hiding may grow and spit at the kittens to drive them into hiding. Distribution Servals occur widely through sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of tropical rainforest and the Saharan desert. Within South Africa, during the latter half of the 20th century, the serval was considered extinct, or near extinct, in many areas of its historical range, primarily due to persecution as a damage-causing animal and competitive exclusion by expanding caracal populations.

As a result of the successful reintroduction of serval into many areas within its natural historical distribution range, and the natural dispersal of the species in other areas, servals have successfully re-colonised many areas where they were previously considered rare or extinct. Currently servals occur in all nine provinces, but are associated more with the wetter eastern parts of the country, including the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the north-eastern parts of the North West. Habitat In sub-Saharan Africa, servals are mostly found in and around marshland, well-watered long-grass savannah environments, and are particularly associated with reed beds and other riparian vegetation types. Servals can penetrate dense forest along waterways and through grassy patches and are able to tolerate agricultural areas to some extent, provided cover is available and appropriate wetland habitat (and thus areas where murid rodents thrive)is conserved or created. Serval population densities have been found to be similar between farms with various management intensities in the Drakensberg midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. Within South Africa the species occupy moist savannah, marshland and tall grasslands.

It can subsist away from wetlands, as long as good grass cover is available, and artificial wetlands in dam outflows are utilised. These habitats are being increasingly created through wildlife ranches and agricultural systems. Although these habitats are partly fragmented, servals are able to connect with other subpopulations through corridors such as drainage lines to ameliorate fragmentation effects. Food Servals have a broad diet, ranging from birds to fish, however they primarily feed on small mammals, especially rodents. Their diet consists of 93.5% small mammals (rats, mice, and shrews) and 5% birds with the occasional insects, frogs, lizards, and very rarely carrion making up the remainder of their diet. They are very efficient hunters and their hunting success rate of 48% is higher than any other member of the family Felidae. SEX and LIFE CYCLES Sex Little has been recorded on the sexual behaviour of this cat. Servals are considered polygynous and the territories of males overlap with those of several females. Breeding can occur throughout the year, but there seem to be a peak during spring. An oestrus female will hunt with and court a male over several days.

After a gestation period of approximately 65–75 days, the female gives birth to a litter of two to four kittens. The kittens are hidden in dense vegetation and often moved by the female. They are weaned in five months and can stay with their mother for up to year. Young males are driven away as soon as they are able to hunt successfully, whereas daughters are tolerated for much longer. The kittens reach sexual maturity between 18 and 24 months, round about the time they become independent. Servals are estimated to live up to 10 years in the wild, however in captivity they have been recorded to live much longer. Family life Like most cats, the serval is a solitary, mostly nocturnal animal, though more diurnal than most cats. Females have home ranges of 9.5–19.8 km2, while males have larger territories of 11.6–31.5 km2. In 2014, the average home range of collared servals ranged from 5 to 60 km2 in the farmland of KwaZulu-Natal.

The home ranges of the same, as well as the opposite sex overlap, but individuals tend to avoid encountering one another. Both sexes mark their territories by spraying (males) or squirting (females) urine on the grass and sometimes against prominent objects such as bushes or reeds. THE BIG PICTURE Friends and Foes Servals are particularly vulnerable to predators such as spotted hyenas, leopards and wild dog, especially in areas without high grass cover. They are to some extent tolerant of farming practices provided there is cover, wetlands and good food availability. The occurrence of servals in farmlands is probably enhanced by the relatively low density of large carnivore or competing carnivores such as caracal and African wild cat. Smart Strategies The serval’s big ears and long legs make it extremely adaptable to hunting rats, mice and other rodents and birds that live in tall grass. They have an acute sense of hearing. The closely set ears contain 22 muscles each, allowing them to rotate up to 180 degrees independently of each other, and allows them to pick up and pinpoint noises made by prey, even underground.

When hunting, the long legs of the serval assist it to see over and into the grass and to make a high leap as it pounces. It can leap up to 2-3 m into the air to catch birds. Poorer world without me Servals are wetland specialists and thus important due to their specialised habitat requirements, which allows them to serve as a useful ecosystem indicator of the effect of habitat fragmentation in South Africa and for wetland conservation. Further, being a predator of rodents its value is in its role in controlling the numbers of these agricultural pests. People & I Servals are utilised in the traditional medicine trade and the skins are used for traditional regalia. Trade in West Africa and South Africa appears to be primarily for ceremonial or medicinal purposes. The species is further in demand by local and international hunters as a hunting trophy. They are also sometimes mistakenly persecuted as a damage-causing animal. Conservation status and what the future holds Servals are found in many protected areas within South Africa and are included on CITES Appendix II and protected under national legislation (TOPS regulations). It is listed as Least Concern globally and Near Threatened nationally on the IUCN Red List.

Effective conservation of serval depends on the conservation of wetlands, particularly wetlands in fragmented landscapes. Wetlands form an island habitat in a mosaic of farmland for several wetland-dependent species; they are reservoirs of small mammal populations that are major dietary components of servals. Consequently if wetlands are protected in a mosaic of farmland use, the landscape may support the persistence of serval populations. Relatives There are currently 19 recognised subspecies; however some authorities treat several of these as synonyms. A recent molecular phylogeny reveals that the serval is closely allied to the African golden cat, Caracal aurata, and caracal, Caracal caracal, diverging from a common ancestor approximately 5.4 million years ago, though it is distinct enough to be classified in a monospecific genus. They are members of the cat family, Felidae. Southern African members of this family include the big cats, lion (Panthera leo), leopard (P. pardas) and the cheetah (Acynonyx jubatus), as well as the small cats: the southern subspecies of African wild cat (Felis silvestris cafra), black-footed cat (F.

nigripes) and caracal (Caracal caracal). Another subspecies of African wild cat, Felis silvestris lybica, occurs further north in Africa. Domestic cats (Felis catus) are also part of this family. References and further reading Estes, R.D. 1991. The behavior guide to African mammals: including hoofed mammals, carnivores, primates. University of California Press, USA. Ramesh, T. & Downs, C.T., 2013. Impact of farmland use on population density and activity patterns of serval in South Africa. Journal of Mammalogy 94,6:1460–1470. Ramesh, T. & Downs, C.T. 2014. Diet of serval (Leptailurus serval) on farmlands in the Drakensberg Midlands, South Africa. Mammalia DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2014-0053. Ramesh, T., Kalle, R. & Downs, C.T. 2015.

Sex-specific indicators of landscape use by servals: consequences of living in fragmented landscapes. Ecological Indicators 52; 8–15. Doi: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.11.021. Skinner, J.D. & Chimimba, C.T. 2005. The mammals of the southern African subregion. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Author

Question: What type of creature is a serval?
Answer: Cat