Leptailurus serval
Servals are found throughout most of Sub-Saharan Africa, but small isolated populations may exist in Northern Africa, too. They have long legs that help them to peer over tall vegetation to find prey. They usually eat small rodents and ground birds, but also hares, fish, and lizards. Having great leaping ability, they are able to flush out a bird on the ground and then catch it in the air before the bird can fly away. Their excellent hearing apparatus helps them spot prey that stirs the grass, nearby.
Picture taken in Louisville zoo, May 2001.
Family Felidae
Superfamily Feloidea
Order Carnivora
Subclass Eutheria
Class Mammalia
Subphylum Vertebrata
Phylum Chordata
Kingdom Animalia
Life on Earth
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