Serval
MISCHIEF arrived at our sanctuary in December 2021 as an owner surrender when he was just 12 weeks old. Initially thought to be a Savannah hybrid, he turned out to be a full-blooded African serval. Despite the surprise, Mischief quickly charmed us with his stunning appearance and boundless energy, typical of kittens. After a gradual introduction, he now shares a delightful companionship with our old serval, Monzo. They've been seen joyfully chasing each other around, even prompting Monzo, who hadn't run in years, to rediscover his youthful vigor thanks to Mischief!
We also harness Mischief for leisurely walks around our compound. His favorite spot is a room in the barn filled with hay bales, where he loves to play 'King of the Hill.' Mischief's curious nature keeps him constantly engaged, absorbing valuable information that will serve him well as he matures. This highlights why keeping a serval as a house pet can be detrimental, as their active, inquisitive personalities thrive in environments that allow for natural behaviors, unlike the sedentary life of a typical house cat.
ORDER: Carnivora
FAMILY: Felidae
GENUS: Leptailurus
SPECIES: Serval
Servals are the mid-size cat (25 to 40 lbs.) of Africa, known for their long legs, small head, long neck, and large ears. They are most active at dawn and dusk and live a solitary life unless it is a mother with kittens. These cats are territorial and great jumpers, six feet high from a stand still. This jumping ability is a big part of their hunting strategy. They sit quietly listening with their giant ears for things like rats, mice, gophers, frogs, reptiles, and birds and then jump surprising their prey. Because of this jumping ability, they have a higher than average hunting success rate. Servals are pregnant for approximately 70 days producing 2 to 4 kittens a litter. They stay behind while mama goes out alone to hunt for them, and at about 3 months, start to join her to hone their hunting instincts. The kittens start with insects and work their way up the food chain. They stay with her for about a year before she pushes them out to find their own territory. This can often be tough on the male kittens as she must chase them far away to avoid inbreeding.
Threats
Hyenas, leopards, hunting dogs, fur trade, bushmeat and pet trade.
Conservation Status
LC - Least Concern