Serval

A serval (Leptailurus serval) is a medium-sized wild cat native to the savannas of Africa. It is known for its tall, slender build, large ears, and spotted coat, which make it an expert hunter.

The serval has a long, lean body with remarkably long legs, giving it a lanky appearance. Its coat is a golden-yellow to tawny color with distinct black spots that can sometimes merge into stripes. Its head is small in proportion to its body, and it has very large, oval ears that can rotate independently, allowing it to pinpoint the location of prey.

Servals are found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, savannas, and shrublands, particularly near water sources. They are most common in sub-Saharan Africa. They are highly successful hunters and primarily eat small rodents, such as rats and mice. They also prey on birds, frogs, insects, and small reptiles.

The serval's long legs and large ears are key to its unique hunting style. It can leap vertically up to 10 feet into the air to catch birds in flight. It also uses its sensitive hearing to locate prey hiding underground, then pounces and digs them out. Servals have one of the highest hunting success rates of any wild cat, with over half of their pounces resulting in a kill.