Serval: status, range, size and diet
A tall, big-eared African cat of wetlands and grassland that pounces on rodents with exceptional success, listed as Least Concern.
Also known as Leptailurus serval, bush cat
At a glance
| Scientific name | Leptailurus serval |
|---|---|
| Group | Medium wild cats |
| Weight | About 8-18 kg |
| Length | Head and body about 67-100 cm, tail about 30 cm |
| Lifespan in the wild | About 10 years |
| Known for | The longest legs for its body size of any cat, and large rotating ears that find prey in tall grass. |
Status
| IUCN Red List category | Least Concern |
|---|---|
| Assessed in | 2015 |
Where it lives
| Range | Sub-Saharan Africa, with a remnant population in Morocco |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Grassland, reed beds, marsh and savanna close to water, up to about 3,800 m |
| Diet | Mostly rodents such as vlei rats, plus birds, frogs, reptiles and insects |
Main threats
- Loss of wetlands and grassland
- Killing by herders
- Hunting for skins and traditional medicine
About
The serval is a slim, medium-sized cat that stands tall on long legs, with a small head, a short tail and big oval ears. The coat is golden-yellow with black spots and stripes, and some animals are almost black. Relative to its body, the serval has the longest legs of any cat, and its elongated foot bones help it to see over tall grass and to leap.
The ears are the animal's main tool. They can swivel independently, and they pick up the faint sounds of rodents moving through the grass and under the surface.
Where it lives and what it eats
Servals live across Africa south of the Sahara, wherever there is long grass, reeds or marsh with plenty of rodents, usually close to water. They avoid dense forest and true desert. In North Africa a population survives only in Morocco, has been reintroduced to Tunisia and is feared lost from Algeria.
A serval listens, then makes a high pounce and drops onto its prey with its front paws. This works unusually often. In one study in Ngorongoro Crater about half of the hunting attempts succeeded, a much higher rate than most cats manage. Rodents form the bulk of the diet, and the cat also catches birds, frogs, reptiles and insects. Most of its prey weighs well under 200 grams.
Threats and conservation
The IUCN lists the serval as Least Concern, in an assessment from 2015 that was amended in 2019. The cat depends on wetlands and healthy grassland, which are drained, burned and ploughed. Some are killed by herders, and skins and body parts are still traded in parts of West Africa.
Conservation work centres on wetland protection and on controlling hunting and trade.
Cats and people
Servals can be crossed with domestic cats, and the first such hybrid was born in 1986. Their descendants are the foundation of the Savannah breed. Early-generation hybrids are large and have strong wild instincts, and owning a serval or an early cross is restricted in many countries and states, so owners should check local law. A serval has the energy and needs of a wild predator, requires a large and secure outdoor enclosure and can injure people through scratches and bites. In its own habitat it is shy and avoids human settlement.
Profile last reviewed November 7, 2026