Serval Cat (Felis serval)

The serval cat was once widespread in all savannah areas of Africa. Although still common, its former range in north and south Africa has been severely reduced. The serval cat is at home in grass savannahs, sub-alpine and montane mosaics of moorland and forests. It is found in the Bale mountains of southwestern Ethiopia and also in the lower Omo Valley.

The serval, weighing 11-13 kg, has the longest legs of all cats, relatively. Its legs are not for fast running but to gain elevation for hunting in tall grass. Although it can walk significant distances when food is scarce, it normally remains in a small area and travels an average of 2 km. It is capable of fast dashes into dense cover if disturbed by larger carnivores but is unable to sustain flight, preferring to hide and crouch.

Its tall, vertical ears help to funnel sound, allowing a more accurate fix on prey. Thus it needs its long legs to gain maximum elevation while hunting in tall grass. Unlike the large cats, where one large prey may be the outcome of several attempts, the serval catches many small animals. High leaps or springs, with a powerful downward strike by the claws, are employed against larger prey, such as rabbits. Loose, well-splayed toes with sharply curved claws also assist the long, front legs in reaching down burrows or tree hollows to extract rodents or nestlings. It will cache parts of larger prey, returning later to uncover and consume it.

Its tall grass habitat not only demands vertical leaping and striking at prey, but also explains its typical greeting and threat displays. The head is repeatedly raised and lowered on the long neck and animals may stand on tip-toe, with highly arched back and tail.

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