Welcome to the Serval Quiz, where you can test your knowledge and learn more about one of the more unusual-looking wild cat breeds! This medium-sized cat is known for its different-sized body parts – very long legs, small heads with large ears, and long necks – and is sometimes referred to as “the cat of spare parts”.
Take the quiz to test your knowledge of Servals if you believe you know everything there is to know about them or if you want to learn more about this little African wild cat!
Self, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
What is the scientific name for the Serval?
Schuyler Shepherd (Unununium272), CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Where can Servals be found?
Stolz, Gary M – Public Domain
What is the average lifespan of a Serval in the wild?
Niels Steffens / Creative Commons
What is the average weight of a male Serval?
Vassil – Public Domain
What is the average weight of a female Serval?
Types Of Servals
The serval, Leptailurus serval, is the only member of the genus Leptailurus. In the past, there have been 18 subspecies of this wild cat although this was revised in 2017 to state that there are now currently only three recognized subspecies (which is pending further research). These three subspecies are:
- Leptailurus serval lipostictus – East Africa
- Leptailurus serval serval – Southern Africa
- Leptailurus serval constantina – West and Central Africa
There are crossbred animals that have part serval in them as well, although they are not considered subspecies of this breed. The Savannah cat is a hybrid, a cross between a domestic cat and a serval that possessed traits from both parents.
While these cats are found throughout Africa, they are more widespread in Southern Africa. In Northern Africa, they are only found throughout Morocco and were re-introduced in Tunisia.
Vassil – Public Domain
What is the primary diet of Servals?
Howard Klaaste/Shutterstock.com
What type of habitat do Servals prefer?
Joanne_Charnwood/Shutterstock.com
What is the average height of a Serval?
alberto clemares exposito/Shutterstock.com
What is the average length of a Serval?
PRESSLAB/Shutterstock.com
What is the primary hunting technique of Servals?
Interesting Serval Facts
This small to medium African wild cat is not normally aggressive to humans but it is not recommended to have one as a pet. They are still wild animals and they may sound like a cat, they do meow and purr, but they also hiss, cackle, grunt, cackle and emit a high-pitched chirp. Here are additional interesting facts about this unusual cat:
- Servals are mostly nocturnal, solitary animals.
- Their long legs are largely due to the greatly elongated metatarsal bones in the feet.
- They often play with their food before eating it.
- Their extra-long legs, plus their elongated necks, earned them the nickname “giraffe cat”.
- They communicate by marking their territory.
Benny Marty/Shutterstock.com
What is the main threat to Servals?
Howard Klaaste/Shutterstock.com
What is the gestation period for Servals?
Joanne_Charnwood/Shutterstock.com
How many kittens can a female Serval give birth to?
alberto clemares exposito/Shutterstock.com
What is the main predator of Servals?
Big Cat Rescue, CC BY 3.0
What is the conservation status of Servals?
Tim Strater from Rotterdam, Nederland, CC BY-SA 2.0
