Serval Leptailurus serval
Animals in our sanctuary
Ghana (female)
Ghana comes from a zoo in France. She sat there with Leone and was brought to De Zonnegloed in consultation with Stichting AAP. In this way they have a hopeful life back together.
Appearance:
The serval is a medium-sized feline with exceptionally long legs, a short tail, a long neck, and large ears. Its coat is yellowish-brown with black spots and stripes, while its tail is ringed with alternating black and yellowish-brown bands. A distinctive white spot is present on the back of each ear. Males are slightly larger than females, with an average weight ranging from 10 to 18 kg.
Behavior:
Servals are solitary animals and maintain territories of approximately 12 km², which they defend against other servals. They mark their territory with urine, feces, and scent glands on their head. Males and females only come together during the mating season. When encountering another serval, they make themselves appear larger by standing on their toes and show aggression by growling and swiping with their claws.
Diet:
Servals are carnivores that primarily hunt small mammals such as mice and rabbits, but they also prey on birds, fish, and frogs. Their exceptional hearing allows them to detect rodents underground or in tall grass. They use their long forelegs to extract animals from burrows and are known for their ability to leap high into the air to catch birds in flight. Servals have a high hunting success rate, with approximately 48% of their hunting attempts being successful.
Habitat:
The serval is mainly found in savannas and open grasslands, often near water sources. It avoids dense rainforests and deserts but can also be found in reed beds and open woodlands. It prefers areas with tall grass, where it can hide while hunting.
Reproduction:
Most serval matings occur in the spring, although they do not have a fixed breeding season. After a gestation period of about 67 to 77 days, the female gives birth to 2 to 3 kittens. The kittens are born blind and open their eyes after approximately 11 days. At four to five weeks old, they begin eating meat and are weaned around five months of age. The young are raised solely by the mother and reach sexual maturity at 18 to 24 months.
Threats:
Servals face threats from habitat loss and conflicts with livestock farmers, as they sometimes prey on poultry. Farmers often kill them to protect their animals. Despite these challenges, the IUCN classifies the species as "Not Threatened."
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