Want to know where and when to find Serval? opspoor shows recent sightings across South Africa's parks and when each species is usually active.
Where to see Serval in South Africa
About the Serval
The serval is a slender, long-legged African wild cat strongly associated with grassland, wetlands, reedbeds and areas of tall vegetation. It has a golden-yellow coat marked with bold black spots and stripes, exceptionally long legs and large ears. Servals are primarily nocturnal hunters and specialise in catching small mammals, birds, frogs and reptiles. They often use their excellent hearing to locate prey in dense grass before making a powerful vertical leap to capture it.
How to identify the Serval
Slender medium-sized wild cat with very long legs, a small head, large rounded ears and a short tail. Golden-yellow coat is marked with black spots and stripes, with dark markings running along the neck and back of the ears.
Did you know?
Servals have exceptionally long legs and large ears, allowing them to detect and leap onto rodents hidden in tall grass. They can make powerful vertical jumps when hunting.
Also known as: Tierboskat
Planning a safari? Pick a park above to see when and where to look for Serval, and log your own sightings in opspoor, even with no signal.