1. Legs that Reach for the Sky
Serval cats, also known as “giraffe cats,” originate from sub-Saharan Africa. While they may be classified as domestic cats, their striking appearance sets them apart as the “supermodels” of the feline world.
Serval cats are wild cats that inhabit the southern, eastern, and western regions of Africa, including the southern Sahara desert and central areas. They prefer to live in abandoned areas and are the most competitive species among all wild cat breeds. When they feel threatened, they can become fierce and attack humans.
As fully grown adults, Serval cats resemble a hybrid between a domestic cat and a leopard due to their unique characteristics.
2. The Longest Ears in the Feline World
Apart from their long legs, Serval cats also possess the largest ears compared to any other cat species. Perched on their small heads, these oval-shaped ears are black with a distinctive white spot on top. If humans had ears like Serval cats, they would be as big as dinner plates. These large ears enable Serval cats to have acute hearing, helping them detect prey, even those hiding beneath the ground.
Mèo Serval sở hữu đôi chân dài miên man như người mẫu
3. The High-Jumping Athletes
When chasing birds and insects, Serval cats can leap vertically, reaching heights of up to 3 meters. They can also jump horizontally up to 3.5 meters from a standing position, landing with enough force to stun or kill their prey upon impact.
Mèo Serval bắt mồi
4. A Toilet Break Every Hour
Both male and female Serval cats mark their territory by spraying urine on trees and bushes. They use their sharp claws to dig fresh urine into the ground, rubbing their scent marks on the facial glands or on the plants’ foliage.
Male Serval cats tend to mark their territory more frequently than females, spraying urine up to 46 times per hour or 41 times per square kilometer. One male Serval cat was recorded marking 566 times in a 4-hour period while in search of a female.
5. Swift as the Wind
Serval cats are excellent hunters, capable of running at speeds of up to 70 km/h. Of course, they can’t surpass the speed of a Cheetah. Their long legs also make them exceptional jumpers, allowing them to pounce on prey from great heights. They are incredibly agile and swift.
Mèo Serval săn mồi
6. Meowing Like House Cats
Serval cats communicate through various sounds. They can produce piercing sounds, purring, meowing, and even growling fiercely. They can also meow and purr just like domestic cats.
7. Cunning Hunters
Renowned as the greatest hunters and one of the most dangerous predators among all cat breeds, Serval cats are incredibly agile and nimble when hunting. They primarily prey on small animals.
With their exceptional hearing, keen observation skills, and spontaneous actions, Servals are one of the smartest creatures in the wild. Despite their smaller size compared to the powerful leopard, they are equally skilled hunters. Unlike leopards, which usually chase their prey, Serval cats approach their target by stalking, trapping, and pouncing.
Mèo Serval đi săn
8. Solitary Creatures
Serval cats live solitary lives except during mating season and the period when a mother cat is raising her kittens. When in heat, female Servals call out to the males in the area with short and sharp or long vocalizations. After about 70 days, the kittens are born in dens or burrows. When male kittens are capable of hunting on their own, usually around six months old, the mother drives them away from her territory. The mother cat can tolerate the presence of female kittens a little longer.
9. The Parents of Savannah Cats
Savannah cats are a crossbreed between Serval cats and domestic cats. This cat breed was recognized by the International Cat Association in 2001. Although they are kept as pets, they still retain many of their wild appearance and behaviors. Owning a Savannah cat may not be legal in all states in the US.
- Scientific name: Leptailurus serval
- Height: 45 – 60 cm
- Weight: 7 – 18 kg
- Habitat: While originating from Africa, Serval cats have been exported worldwide. The United States alone holds over 150 Serval cats in zoos, conservatories, and forest reserves.
- Diet: 95% of the time, Serval cats prey on animals weighing less than 250g, swallowing the entire prey whole. Although they specialize in catching small mammals and rodents, they do not hesitate to catch rabbits, hyraxes, birds, reptiles, fish, and even insects. Occasionally, they also attack larger animals such as antelopes and springboks. In these cases, they consume small bones along with the meat, leaving behind the intestines, hooves, feet, beak, fur, and feathers.
- Threats: The main threats to Serval cats are hyenas and leopards. Apart from natural predators, this breed is also at risk from human encroachment in wildlife areas, where they are hunted and trapped mainly for their fur.
- Lifespan: Approximately 10 years in the wild.
Now, you have a glimpse into the captivating world of Serval cats. These beautiful felines showcase their elegance and adaptability as “nature’s top models.” To learn more about rare cat breeds, visit 1mquotes.
Note: The content was adapted from the original post on 1mquotes.com, featuring images from the same source.