Serval
Leptailurus serval
With its oversized ears and incredible leaping ability, the serval is the ultimate high-tech hunter of the African savanna. This slender, spotted feline is a master of stealth, turning the tall grass into its private hunting ground.
Quick Identification
Size
Head-to-body length of 67–100 cm (26–39 in) with a shoulder height of 54–62 cm (21–24 in). Weight ranges from 8–18 kg (18–40 lbs).
Colors
Tawny or golden-yellow coat heavily marked with solid black spots and stripes. The back of the large ears is black with a distinctive white central bar.
Key Features
- Oversized, radar-like ears set close together
- Longest legs of any cat relative to its body size
- Short tail reaching only to the hocks
- Slender, elegant build with a small head
When You’ll See Them
Geographic range
Where Does the Serval Live?
Native to the African continent, the serval is widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Its core populations thrive in the well-watered savannas and wetlands of East and Southern Africa, including countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. While they have become rare in North Africa, they remain a resilient resident in protected parks and rural agricultural landscapes where tall cover and water are available.
Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors
Behavior
The serval is a solitary and highly specialized feline, renowned for its incredible hunting efficiency. Unlike many big cats that rely on raw power, the serval uses its massive, sensitive ears to detect the ultrasonic high-pitched sounds of rodents scurrying through tall grass or even underground. Once prey is located, the serval performs a vertical 'leap-and-pounce' maneuver, jumping up to 3 meters (9 feet) into the air to strike with its front paws.
While primarily crepuscular—most active during the cool hours of dawn and dusk—servals may shift their patterns to be more nocturnal in areas with high human activity. They are generally shy and elusive, preferring to melt into the tall grass when they sense a threat. However, they are highly territorial and use scent marking and scratching to define their home ranges, which often overlap with water sources.
Socially, servals are loners except during the brief mating period or when a female is raising kittens. They are not known to be aggressive toward humans, but they are rarely seen in the open. In suburban-fringe areas of Africa, they may venture near homesteads to hunt the rodents attracted to grain stores, though they remain masters of camouflage and are usually only detected by tracks or camera traps.
EverydayEarth exclusive
Camera Tips
To capture a serval on camera, focus your efforts on 'edge' habitats—the transition zones between tall grass and water sources like streams or marshy vleis. Because servals are relatively tall but slender, mount your camera at knee-height, approximately 50–60 cm (20–24 inches) off the ground. Angle the lens slightly upward if you are placing the camera in a depression, or keep it level along a known game trail. Servals are habitual creatures and will often use the same footpaths through thick vegetation to reach their hunting grounds.
Lighting is crucial since servals are most active during the low-light 'golden hours' and at night. Use a camera with a high-quality infrared (IR) flash to avoid spooking the animal, as a standard white flash may cause them to avoid the area in the future. Because servals can move with sudden, jerky motions when they hear prey, set your camera to a fast shutter speed or high-speed 'burst' mode to ensure you catch a clear image of their distinctive spots rather than a golden blur.
While we don't recommend baiting with meat (which can attract larger, dangerous predators like hyenas), you can sometimes pique a serval's curiosity with scent. A small amount of fatty acid tablet or even a few drops of certain essential oils (like catnip or valerian) on a nearby log may encourage them to linger and investigate the area. If you are using video mode, ensure your trigger speed is set to the fastest possible setting (under 0.3 seconds) to capture their quick, graceful strides.
Seasonality matters for camera placement. During the wet season, servals may move to slightly higher, drier ground to avoid flooding, whereas in the dry season, they will be tethered closely to the remaining green reed beds and permanent water holes. Check your SD cards frequently during the dry season, as this is when the thinner vegetation makes them much easier to photograph clearly.
Similar Species
Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Serval.
Caracal
Caracals have a uniform reddish coat and long black ear tufts, whereas servals are spotted with rounded ears.
Cheetah
Cheetahs are much larger, have solid round spots rather than bars/streaks, and possess 'tear marks' running from the eyes to the mouth.
African Wildcat
Much smaller and resembles a domestic tabby cat, lacking the serval's extreme leg length and oversized ears.
Frequently Asked Questions
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