The Serval is one of the few spotted cats not on the endangered species list. The formal biological description of the Serval would be: FAMILY:-felidae, ORDER:-carnivora, SPECIES-felis(leptailurus)serval. The species was formerly termed Leptailurus serval, with a sub-species called the Servaline because of the different color pattern (more numerous smaller sized spots) until both were found in the same areas of Africa and eventually found to be present in a single litter of cubs. The differences have now been attributed to the slightly different camouflage needed in the different geographical areas in which the cat resides. However, even though it has been determined that these cats with smaller but more numerous spots are not in fact a subspecies, I still hear the term "Servaline-like" used to describe this pattern of markings. The Serval cat is distributed widely throughout Africa. They are most common in the open savannas, from lightly bushed country to forests, but particularly near marshy places or rivers. They also are found on high mountain moorlands. In the tall grass a Serval performs his signature style of pouncing up and down in pursuit of mice and other rodents. Their ears are not quite radar's but close. Servals often hear their prey and react rather than reacting to the sight of their prey. The Serval can supposedly hear the motion of a rodent as far as 20 feet away in the tall grasses of it's natural environment. The Serval is mostly a nocturnal animal but sometimes can be diurnal. They are considered mostly a terrestrial cat, as it's long legs testify, however it can easily climb trees making it arboreal as well. This is an example of the extreme adaptability of the African Serval Cat. The Seval makes a distinctive sound calling out what can be described as a (HOW-HOW-HOW!). This sound actually sounds like the loud chirp of a large bird more than it sounds like anything we would associate with any kind of cat. They also pant much like a dog and very unlike most felines. When aggravated the can become quite "Hissy". My Servals have made noises much like a repetitive grunt when they get overly excited playing with a weed or something I am moving about on the ground. If they feel they are cornered or in danger they certainly have a growl just as does the lion or the common domestic house cat.
|
