As a species unique to the African continent, the serval mainly occurs in sub-Saharan locations, and many people will mistake it for a caracal. They are the size of small cheetahs, with slender limbs and different dark spots on their fur that extend to the head. They also have black rings on their tails, males are larger than females, and among felines, servals are relatively large.
Most of them live in the savannah. As felines, they are solitary animals. Basically, a serval will occupy a territory of about 20 square meters in the wild. They usually live there basically, and their territorial awareness is extremely strong, and they will fight against foreign invaders even if they are big guys. Males do not allow females to share their territory, even when it is time for mating. And like most cats, they are nocturnal animals, and they are relatively sensitive in action, and females are relatively more active than males.
Although they are solitary animals, males are often seen walking with females, usually during the mating season. But this kind of companionship is very short-lived. After mating is completed, the male will leave the female and go to find a new lover. They really are "playboys". And females are also very strong, even if they are lonely, they will nurture their cubs to live independently. Although the cubs are conceived in the mother's arms for two and a half months, they are still very small after birth, and will not develop in the form of growth until 11 days later. After that, it slowly enters the nursing period, and the canine development will not be completed until 6 months.
After a year, the kitten will be forcibly driven away by the mother, and let it find its own territory, and it will take a year or two for the newborn calves to completely determine their own territory. Their life expectancy is the same as domestic cats, with an average of ten years, and the longest life expectancy is 23 years.
Servals hunt by themselves when they have fully grown up, and as felines with the appearance of a cheetah, servals also have a strong predation ability. But most of them are small animals, basically some birds, mice, etc. These small animals often go to harm human farmland, so in order to better find food, servals often appear in plants grown by humans. Although they are preying on their own selfish desires, they also indirectly help humans. Therefore, humans often call it "Mr. Agriculture Friendly".
The serval has held a high status since ancient times. Because they have helped humans for a long time, servals were also sought after by humans in ancient Egypt, and various statues and steles were often built. The ancient Egyptians even regarded it as the incarnation of the female god of war Best, so the serval was also the holy beast of Egypt.
It has been rumored a long time ago that the IQ of servals is higher than that of domestic cats, but the same is also the opposite, they are difficult to tame themselves. From the perspective of nature, living in the wild for a long time is hard to change, and it is difficult for them to be as docile as domestic cats. Many people may object. But when you actually see it, it may be docile in one second, and wild genes will burst out in the next second, taking you by surprise!
Servals are also facing a major crisis around the world. Although their territory on the grassland is very vast, with the continuous development of human beings, the territory of the grassland has been gradually shortened. Therefore, the habitat of wild servals is not as vast as imagined. Coupled with the repeated hype from the outside world, the serval has become more precious. Many crooked people began to hunt and kill servals, either taking them to tyrant circles for sale, or using their fur for sale.
Serval as a sacred species, we are obliged to control our selfish desires and better protect them. After all, their beautiful appearance is loved by everyone, and this love does not have to be possessed, don't you think?
