Behavior: The serval, a widespread but uncommon mammal, inhabits much of the sub-Saharan African savannah. It also occurs in high altitude moorland, bamboo forest, and the edges of the rainforest. It shuns very dry terrain and is most under dense cover near water. Its long legs help it to stride across the swampy ground of reedbeds and marshes. Although it can climb and swim well, the serval spends most of its time on the ground resting or hunting. It runs swiftly, and, if disturbed, it races away with high bounds over the tall grass.
Like all small cats, the serval lives alone in a well defined territory marked by the scent of urine. The female keeps her cubs for a short time before forcing them out. 

They wander long distances over rough terrain before establishing their own territories. The serval remains close to the area for many years. Servals fighting with each other use threat postures, loud calls, and slashing movements with the forepaws. As well as emitting shrill cries, this species often growls and purrs. When annoyed, the serval snarls, growls, and spits. Active in the morning and late afternoon, the serval spends its day resting from the heat. In the cool early evening, a serval drinks before starting its nightly hunt.

Food and Hunting: The serval usually hunts at dusk and night, but it will sometimes hunt prey that is active during the day. In populated areas such as farmland, the serval reverts to its nocturnal habits. When hunting, the serval covers two to three miles of its territory searching for food. It preys mainly on rodents but will eat hares, hyraxes, and small antelopes such as duikers and oribi. It kills birds the size of guinea fowl, along with frogs and lizards. Occasionally it eats termites, grasshoppers, and plants.

The serval uses many hunting techniques. Because its hearing is so acute, the serval hunts by stealth. It lies hidden in the cover of dense vegetation and waits for prey to approach. It also stalks larger prey through cover, lunging forward over the last few feet in a surprise attack. It sometimes moves through tall grass, listening for prey. Standing on its long legs, the serval accurately pinpoints the exact location of its prey before leaping with a powerful thrust, forming a graceful arc, and landing on its victim.

Breeding: The mating season varies in different regions, and some females give birth twice in one year. The female attracts the male with a call to mate. She purrs and rubs her cheek against the male. The female gives birth to one to four cubs in a den hidden by dense vegetation and lined with dry leaves. At birth the cubs are blind and helpless. The mother suckles them for many months until they learn to fend for themselves. A serval cub stays with its mother for a year until it learns survival hunting techniques.

Key Facts:
Sizes:
Length: 2-3 ft. Tail, 1-1 ½ ft.
Height: 1 ½ -2 ft. at shoulder
Weight: 20-40 lb.

Breeding:
Mating season: Varies according to region and climate
Gestation: 74 days
Litter size: 1-4
Suckling: Up to 7 months

Lifestyle:
Habit: Solitary, territorial. Active mainly at dusk and night
Diet: Small mammals, birds, lizards, insects, and occasionally fish and plant matter
Call: High pitched cry
Lifespan: 13 years in captivity. Longest recorded in captivity: 19 years 9 months

Related Species: The genus Felis comprises 28 species of small cat.
Distribution: Widespread in Africa south of the Sahara, though absent from the dense rainforest and the drier regions.
Conservation: Widespread but uncommon over most of its range. Hunting pressure in eastern and southern Africa has driven the serval from many areas.

Features of the Serval:
Hunting: The serval hunts by stealth. It waits in the undergrowth, turning its ears to listen for prey. At the slightest rustle, the cat leaps in a graceful arc and pounces on its victim with a 50 percent success rate. The serval can grab low flying birds out of the air with one leap.
Ears: Large, broad at the base, rising to a point.
Legs: Hind legs longer than forelegs, giving extra power for attacking prey.

Did You Know:
The servaline, a small, woodland dwelling species with a coat of fine spots, was once thought to be a separate species.
An all black species of the serval lives in highland areas of East Africa such as the Aberdares Mountain range in Kenya.
Servals can leap up to 10 feet in the air to catch birds

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