* Threatened or Endangered
Serval *
: Leptailurus serval
: Mammal
: African savannas
: Small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, fish and frogs
: Weight 20 to 44 lbs
: Least Concern
• Protected and rare in most countries where they are found, primarily due to human encroachment and uncontrolled hunting.
• This African cat has the longest legs of any cat and very large ears, both features which make it an excellent hunter.
o The long legs help it to see over tall grass when hunting.
o The large ears allow it to hear the ultrasonic, high frequencies emitted by rodents.
o Their hearing is so acute that they can actually hear underground rodents digging in their burrows.
o These agile cats can leap over 9 feet straight up when hunting birds.