Have you heard of the Serval? It’s a type of cat that can be found in over 30 countries in Africa.1 They are usually around 30-40 inches long and weigh about 33 pounds. They have very long legs, which help them navigate the tall grasses in their habitats and capture prey easily.1&2 In total, there are 19 subspecies of Serval.1
Their fur is of similar coloring to cheetahs – it’s a tawny color with black spots. They have large ears in comparison to the rest of their bodies, and actually are the cat species with the largest ears. They feed on birds, crabs, insects, and reptiles.3 They tend to pounce on their prey to capture and kill it, but they may also reach into a burrow or into the water to catch their food.1 Meanwhile, they are prey for hyenas, leopards, and wild dogs.3 In the wild, they can live to be over 20 years old.1
When Servals reproduce, the females will usually give birth to 2-4 offspring after just over two months.2 The females will raise the offspring alone and once the male offspring can hunt on their own, they are forced to go off on their own. Female offspring, however, are allowed to stay with their mom for a couple of years.3
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