Savannah, by David Dancey-Wood
Drawing of a serval
Print size 67 x 37 centimetres (26.4" x 14.5" inches)
A Giclee print
Limited Edition of 199
 
Servals are medium-sized wild cats found in Africa. These beautiful and elusive creatures have a distinctive appearance, with long legs, large ears, and a spotted coat that helps them blend into their environment. Servals are highly adapted to hunting in the grasslands and savannas of Africa, and their unique physical and behavioral characteristics make them one of the most fascinating and studied wild cats.
Physical Characteristics
Servals have a lean, athletic build, with long legs that help them run and jump with incredible speed and agility. They have a distinctive spotted coat that ranges in color from golden yellow to orange-brown, with black spots and stripes that help them blend into their surroundings. Their large, pointed ears are highly sensitive and can rotate 180 degrees to detect the slightest sounds of their prey.
Behavior and Diet
Servals are solitary animals that hunt primarily at night. They are highly adaptable and can hunt a variety of prey, including rodents, birds, reptiles, and insects. Servals are known for their incredible hunting skills, with the ability to jump up to 10 feet in the air to catch birds in flight and the agility to hunt rodents and other small prey in the tall grass.
In addition to their hunting skills, servals have a unique behavior called "clapping," where they use their large ears to locate prey and then hit the ground with their front paws to stun and disorient it before pouncing for the kill.
Threats and Conservation Efforts
Servals face numerous threats in the wild, including habitat loss, hunting, and competition for resources with livestock. Climate change is also affecting their habitats, causing droughts and other extreme weather conditions that can have a significant impact on their survival.
Several conservation efforts are underway to protect servals and their habitats. These efforts include the creation of protected areas, education programs to reduce hunting, and the promotion of sustainable livestock practices.
Conclusion
Servals are one of the most fascinating and adapted wild cats found in Africa. Their long legs, large ears, and spotted coat make them an iconic and recognizable species, and their unique hunting skills and behavior have captivated scientists and wildlife enthusiasts for decades. As threats to their survival continue, it is important that we continue to support conservation efforts to protect these amazing creatures for generations to come.