Serval Cat
Scientific Name: Felis serval
Habitat: dry open savanna, woodland
Diet: hares, rodents, birds, insects especially beetles
Life span: 19 years
Young: average 3 young/litter (kits)
Size: 9-13 kg (19-28 lbs)
These solitary cats have many specialized hunting adaptations. Their large ears hear the ultrasonic (very high) frequencies made by their rodent prey. Serval cats are very skilled at digging rodents out of underground burrows using their powerful front paws. The long legs of the cat help it to see over the tall savanna grasses for signs of prey. Serval cats can jump as high as 3 m (9 ft.) into the air to catch birds in flight.
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These are some other websites that we think have more great information about this species.
Serval cat on Animal Diversity Web
For More Information
Edmonton Valley Zoo
13315 Buena Vista Road (87th Avenue)
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2R7
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