Serval

Scientific Name: Leptailurus serval

DID YOU KNOW?

• Servals are slim cats with long legs and ears, spotted copper coats, and black-tipped tails. They have the longest legs relative to body size of any cat, which helps them see above tall grasses in the savannah.
• They hunt mostly early morning and late afternoon, resting midday and sometimes at night.
• They stay hidden in tall grass and mark territory using scent and scratching. Usually solitary, but males and females may travel and hunt together briefly.

• Servals can leap up to 3 metres (10 feet) in the air to snatch birds in flight. They are so precise that they can catch prey with a success rate of nearly 50%, much higher than lions (about 20–30%).

EVERY SPECIES COUNT

As farming and human populations grow, servals are losing habitat and prey, sometimes turning to livestock, often leading to conflict with farmers. Reintroducing captive servals is difficult near people, but they do better when released at least 10 km away in areas with enough prey.

Curious to Learn More?
Reach out to our Education Team at education@emiratespark.ae we’re happy to share more wild facts!