SERVAL
Leptailurus serval
STATUS:
It is protected in most countries. The Serval is listed in CITES Appendix 2, indicating that it is "not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled."
DESCRIPTION:
It is closely related to the African Golden Cat and
the Caracal. It is a slender animal, with long legs and a fairly short
tail. The tall, oval ears are set close together. The pattern of the fur is
variable. Usually, the Serval is boldly spotted black on tawny. The "servaline"
form has much smaller, freckled spots. In addition, melanism is known to exist
in this species, giving a similar appearance to the black panther. White servals
are white with silvery grey spots and have only occurred in captivity. The
serval is one of seven species of small to medium-sized African cats.
SIZE:
A serval weighs between 29 and 41 pounds (13.5 -
19kg). It's body length is 27 -39 inches (70 - 100cm) with an added tail length
of about 13 - 17 inches (35 - 40 cm). The height at the shoulder is about 23
inches (60cm). Males are slightly larger than females. Servals are known as good
climbers. Except for the shortness of the tail, there is a physical resemblance
to the cheetah.
POPULATION:
Undetermined.
LIFESPAN:
Life expectancy is about 12-20 years.
RANGE:
Servals are found in many parts of Africa, but not in
the equatorial jungles or the Sahara. It is most commonly found in East African
savannas, usually near water.
HABITAT:
Its main habitat is the savanna, although melanistic
individuals are more usually found in mountainous areas. The Serval needs
watercourses within its territory, so it does not live in semi-deserts or dry
steppes.
FOOD:
They are successful hunters and eat a wide variety of
prey, which includes rodents, small ungulates, birds, lizards, frogs and
insects. Their success rate is high at about 50% (lions are about 30%
successful). They are also well known in East Africa for raiding farmer's
poultry. They require a fresh kill and will eat carrion only under extreme
circumstances.
BEHAVIOR:
Elusive and shy, servals are for the most part
nocturnal, hunting by sight and sound more than scent. In areas of Africa where
this cat has not been disturbed, they will also be active at dawn and dusk
(crepuscular). It has an excellent sense of hearing and can locate prey that is
moving underground. Once it hears its prey, the serval will quietly approach and
then leaping, will pounce on it. Often, they will play with their meal before
consuming it. This cat has a number of different vocalizations which include
snarling, growling, spitting, purring and a high pitched cry used to call other
servals.Servals lead solitary lives and will establish territories of up to 5
square miles. Marking the territory boundaries by spraying is a continual
process. The serval of an overlapping territory is alerted to keep its distance
when encountering sprayed markings of another serval. When defending themselves,
they will arch their backs and growl loudly.
OFFSPRING:
A litter of 1 - 3 kittens are born in the summer
months after a gestation period of 68-72 days. They are born in a lair; however,
to protect them, she will move her offspring frequently to new hiding places .
This makes observation of the serval's offspring very difficult. Like the
cheetah, the mother raises her kittens alone and must leave them frequently to
hunt. When the cubs are large enough to hunt, the mother will drive the
males away from the family first. Females will stay together with the mother
until they become sexually mature. Then they will be driven away by the mother
so they can establish their own territories.
THREATS:
It has now dwindled in numbers due to human population taking over its habitat and also hunting its pelt.