The African Serval
The African Serval is a medium sized wild cat that generally resides in the Savanna grasslands.
It is a strong and slender cat with the longest legs of all cats, designed especially for jumping. Likewise, the Serval has a long neck for seeing over tall grasses and a small head with high set oval shaped ears designed for acute hearing. To the back of the ears are white markings called 'Ocelli', also known as night eyes thought to be used to prevent attack from behind.
The Serval's body length can range from 33 to 44 inches not including its short thick tail which itself can measure 12 to 18 inches long. The Average shoulder height approximates 23 inches and weight can range from approximately 20-57 lbs, depending on the sex of the Serval.
Most commonly, the Serval's coat has a bright yellowish brown/golden background contrasted with large black spots on its body and legs. It also has black stripes running from its head, down the neck breaking up into spots as it reaches the Serval's body. Servals that dwell in damp areas have finer markings and those that live in warmer surroundings have a coat with large, bold spots.
Though very rare, there are also white Servals living in captivity and melanistic Servals living in the mountainous areas of Africa.
Servals are extremely intelligent, cunning and mischievous. They demonstrate remarkable problem-solving ability and easily outwit their prey. Prey is caught by jumping (up to 16 feet) in the air and landing on it. Once caught, the Serval will often play with the prey for several minutes before devouring it and in most situations will ferociously defend it against attempted theft.
A Serval's diet depends on it's surroundings and what is available to it but generally ranges from squirrels, rodents, insects, fish, frogs, chicks, hares, fruit, vegetables and water.
Servals have been kept as pets in many countries for centuries, and most recently in the United States. Where they are kept as pets, they often develop an intense emotional bond with their human owners and they may become quite unhappy if separated or placed with other families. Therefore a domesticated Serval should be kept with its owner for the entirety of its life and in many countries, owning a Serval first requires a special permit or Wild Animal Licence.
Sources: Wikipedia and Savannahcat.com
Serval photos: courtesy of Jacky Bliss and BigCatRescue.org