Where does the serval live?
The serval is a small wild cat of Africa, widespread in sub-Saharan countries, where it inhabits grasslands, wetlands, moorlands and bamboo thickets. It is found up to 3,800 m on Mount Kilimanjaro. In North Africa it is known only from Morocco, has been reintroduced in Tunisia, and is feared extinct in Algeria. Across its range it occurs in protected areas.
What does the serval eat?
The serval is a solitary carnivore, active both by day and at night. It preys on rodents, particularly vlei rats, but also small birds, frogs, insects and reptiles. It locates prey by hearing, with its large ears. It leaps over 2 m above the ground to land on the prey with its forefeet, and kills it with a bite to the neck or head. It has the longest legs of any cat relative to its body size.
Is the serval endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Hunting it is prohibited or regulated in the countries where it lives. It occupies a home range of 10 to 32 km², which it marks with faeces and saliva.
