Servals

Our population of servals is currently classified as stable in South Africa even though the opinion of many experts are that populations have dropped and should be seen as and fundable species. This elusive tall cat has often been compared and confused with another African cat called the Caracal. Caracals are widely found in south African and are despised by most livestock farmers as they have been know to catch both small lambs as well as large adult seep and goats.

With more thorough research it was proven that servals rarely hunt domestic livestock as they are to large and a Serval’s jaws are not strong enough. They prefer hunting insects, birds, rodents and even venomous snakes. This very agile cat with its tall legs have become masters at hunting snakes by delivering quick and multiple blows to the snakes body. Injuring and disorientating its pray.

Tall legs also come in handy when catching birds, Serval can from standing jump between 2 and 3 meters straight up into the air to catch birds out of flight. They also hunt strategically by sitting in shallow water and waiting for water birds to some down and land, then from the shallow waters 3 meters up into the air and they can catch their prey.

Serval are amazing rodent control as 1 serval in a years’ time will catch an average of 1,000 rodents.

They are the cat with the largest ears in comparison to its body and is the tallest cat (in the world) should you compare the length of the leg to the size of the cat. Unfortunately, these cats are often confused with caracals and shot by farmers trying to protect their livestock. However,  Servals do not hunt large species of Lamb, and buck as their jaws are not strong enough.

Servals prefer to hunt smaller pray such as mice, birds, rabbits and snakes. They can jump from a standing position of 2-3 metres high which gives them an advantage of catching birds!