# Serval (*Leptailurus serval*)

> The serval is a slender African wild cat with the longest legs relative to body size of any felid, huge ears, and a high vertical pounce that plucks birds and rodents from tall grass. Weighing 9–18 kg (20–40 lb), it hunts in savannas and wetlands and is Least Concern across sub-Saharan Africa.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Savannas, grasslands, and wetlands of sub-Saharan Africa, absent from rainforest interiors and the Sahara Desert.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/serval/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Carnivora
- **Family:** Felidae
- **Genus:** Leptailurus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Leptailurus serval |
| Diet | Carnivore — rodents, birds, frogs, and insects |
| Habitat | African savannas, grasslands, and wetlands near water |
| Lifespan | 10–19 years in the wild |
| Weight | 9–18 kg (20–40 lb); males larger |
| Top speed | Up to 80 km/h (50 mph); pounces 3+ metres vertically |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Vertical pounce hunting

Servals locate prey by sound in tall grass, then leap straight up and strike down with forepaws — catching more than 50% of targets in some studies. This spectacular hunting style is unique among cats and inspired the domestic savannah cat breed.

## Acute hearing

Enormous ears with sharp localisation help servals detect rodents rustling underground or birds moving in grass. Large ear bones and tight skull attachment maximise sensitivity — servals often hunt with eyes closed, relying entirely on sound.

## Territory and water

Servals need grassland near water and cover for denning. Territories overlap minimally between same-sex adults. They are mainly crepuscular and solitary, though pairs may associate briefly during breeding.

## Conservation and hybridisation

Least Concern across much of Africa, servals face wetland drainage and bushmeat snares locally. Hybridisation with domestic cats occurs in captivity for the pet trade — controversial and illegal in many countries because wild servals do not make suitable pets.

## Frequently asked questions

### How high can a serval jump?

Over 3 metres vertically — higher relative to body size than almost any other cat — to pin birds and rodents.

### Serval vs cheetah?

Servals are much smaller and hunt by listening and pouncing, not sprinting. Cheetahs chase prey at high speed in open savanna.

### Are servals legal as pets?

Laws vary by country and state. They are wild cats with spray, claw, and dietary needs far beyond domestic cats — generally unsuitable as pets.

### Where do servals live?

Sub-Saharan Africa in savanna, grassland, and marsh — absent from rainforest interiors and the Sahara.

### What do servals eat?

Mainly rodents and vlei rats, plus birds, frogs, insects, and occasionally small antelope fawns.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Leptailurus serval.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Leptailurus%20serval&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Leptailurus serval. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Leptailurus_serval/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/serval/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.