Serval (Leptailurus serval)

Genus: Leptailurus
Species: L. serval
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family:Felis

The Serval (Leptailurus serval, sometimes Felis serval) is a medium-sized African wild cat: length 85 cm, plus 40 cm tail. 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, servals are boldly spotted black on tawny. The "Servaline" form has much smaller, freckled spots. In addition melanistic servals are known to exist. White servals are white with silvery grey spots and have only occurred in captivity.

This cat is quite common in Africa. Its main habitat is the savanna, although melanistic individuals are more usually found in mountainous areas. Servals need watercourses within their territory, so they do not live in semi-deserts or dry steppes. They are able to climb and swim, but they seldom do so.

The serval preys on rodents, hares, hyraxes, small antelopes and birds. The litter consists of two or three young (called cubs or kittens), sometimes as few as one or as many as five. They are raised in sheltered locations like abandoned aardvark burrows. If such an ideal location is not available, a place behind a shrub may be sufficient.

Servals are sometimes preyed upon by leopards. More dangerous for this cat are humans. Servals were extensively hunted for their fur. They are still common in West and East Africa, but they are extinct in the South African Cape Province and very rare north of the Sahara.

Though they are not domesticated animals, servals are sometimes kept as pets (particularly in the United States). In many countries, a special wild animal l icense is required in order to keep servals. Those with experience of pet servals report them to form a strong bond with humans and to be non-aggressive towards their owners and more intelligent and active than domestic cats. Male servals have been bred to domestic cats to produce hybrids. This cross is the basis of the Savannah cat breed. Servals have also been hybridized with caracals (their closest relatives) to produce servicals and caravals.

Additionally, the Serengeti Cat is a breed being developed with the aim of producing a wild-looking domestic cat, similar in appearance to a serval in many respects, but utilizing only domestic breeds and not actually incorporating any genetic contribution from the Serval.