Serval

Afrikaans name: Tierboskat

Serval portrait

Photo © Steven Herbert

Leptailurus serval

Interesting facts about Servals

Servals are a medium-sized cat. They grow to a height of around 60 cm at the shoulder. Adult females can reach a weight of 12 kg and males 18 kg. Compared to the other species of cat they have the longest legs in relation to their body size

The Serval may be found in a wide variety of habitats but favours Savanna. They are not seen very often. Although Servals are primarily nocturnal they do also hunt during the day at times. They catch mice, birds, reptiles and other small prey items. Guinea Fowl are about the biggest item that they catch.

Females give birth to 1 to 3 kittens during summer. The kittens stay with their mother for a year. Servals live to an age of about 10 years in the wild.

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 210

Wild Issue 41 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 46

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 81

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 80

The Smaller Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. De V. Pienaar et al - Published: 1980 - Page: 77

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 324

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 118

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 78

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 63

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 106

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 111

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 15

Predators of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Grobler, Hall-Martin & Walker - Published: 2012 - Page: 107

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 26

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 55

Maberly s Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 106

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 105

KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 117

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Published: 1987 - Page: 259

go! - Issue 173 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 118

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 417

Getaway Guide to the Kruger National Park - Author: Cameron Ewart-Smith - Published: 2005 - Page: 189

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 95

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 154

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 282

Chris and Tilde Stuart s Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Ed - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 154

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 35

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 126

Africa s Big Cats and Other Carnivores - Author: Nigel Dennis - Published: 2001 - Page: 62

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 66

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 21

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 226

African Wildlife Foundation

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List of South African Mammals