SERVAL CATS

East African Serval Cats are one of the three species of wild cat referred to as small to medium sized cats.  They  are nocturnal and are hard to observe even at daytime because the colour pattern is camouflage so it is hard to distinguish in the long grass.  This is one of the reasons why much of the species life style remains a mystery.

Physical Charistics

Serval cats are sometimes called miniture Cheetah cats, but there are in very different families. The Serval Cat’s body is much longer than it is tall.  Generally the Serval cat weighs about 30 to 40 pounds and is about 22 inches high.  So, the species is much larger than a domestic cat.  Long legs, long neck, small head and erect and prominent ears characterize the Serval cat. The large ears are the most distinguishing feature of this cat the coat is yellowish to tan, with black spots and stripes, and like the Tiger, no two patterns are the same. Although the tail looks short, it has the same number of tail bones and the domestic cat, or even the tiger, and is distinguished by it’s black rings.  The under body is usually light in colour ranging from white to cream.

Special Adaptations

Because of the Servals’ special adaptations, like its ears, which allows it to hear rodents under ground and it’s long legs which allow it to feel movement in the tall grass for hunting ground fowl.  Of course, like other cats, the pattern of the coat serves as camouflage, and its long legs are extremely muscular.  If you have ever been “hit” by a Serval, you will know just how muscular they are.

Habitat

They are found in savannahs and areas where water resources are abundant.  Bushy areas provide the cats with good hunting sites.  Grasses and areas close to streams are also a preferred habitat.  Serval cats can also live in the high moorlands.

Serval Cat