The African Serval is a medium sized spotted wild cat found in sub-Saharan Africa. Servals inhabit the grassy savannahs scattered along the Kalahari Desert. Servals prey upon rodents, birds, fish, and other small animals. They can jump as high at 6 to 10 feet and have been photographed catching a bird in mid-air. They do a lot of their hunting at night. Servals are sometimes prey for larger cats, like Lions and Leopards, so they like to keep a "low profile." They are sometimes referred to as, "The little cats of Africa."

Servals weigh between 25 and 50 lbs. at maturity and average 20 inches at the shoulder. They have black spotted markings on a golden or tawny background, with very long legs, neck, and bodies. "Serval" is a Portuguese word meaning, "Wolf-Deer," probably because of their small delicate face and very tall ears. Servals are exquisitely beautiful and these physical traits are passed on to the most beautiful Savannahs, making their look unusual and striking.

The photos below are various African Servals in their natural habitat.