Serval
Leptailurus serval
Serval, a carnivore of African savannas and wetlands preying on rodents.
| Scientific name | Leptailurus serval |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Chui Mdogo |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Felidae |
| Size | Male: 9-18 kg; Female: 7-15 kg |
How to identify
Medium to small size, long and slender legs; large, rounded ears with black spots on the back; yellowish-brown fur with black spots and stripes; short tail with black rings; distinct white facial markings
Habitat
Open woodland savanna, wetlands, shrublands, valleys, and grasslands
Diet
Carnivorous, primarily preys on rodents, birds, frogs, and insects
When it is active
Nocturnal, more active at dusk and dawn
Where it lives
Widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve
How to spot it
Observe at dusk or dawn near open woodland savanna and wetlands; note its distinctive ears and spots; use binoculars and telephoto lenses
Photography tips
Photograph nocturnal activity in low light; capture moments of hunting leaps; use long-range lenses to avoid disturbance
Threats
Habitat loss, hunting, and human-wildlife conflict
Similar species
African wildcat (smaller, with denser spots); Jungle cat (smaller, with smaller ears)
