The serval is the African wild cat known for unusually long legs and huge ears relative to its body.
Servals are slender, medium-sized cats that usually live in habitats with plentiful cover and water, especially wet grassland, reed beds, and marshy areas. Their long legs help them move through tall vegetation, while their large ears provide excellent directional hearing.
This anatomy supports a hunting style focused on small prey. Servals commonly hunt rodents, birds, frogs, and reptiles, often locating prey by sound before pouncing. They can also leap high to catch birds or strike prey hidden in grass.
Servals are sometimes confused with caracals because both are African cats with large ears. Caracals, however, have prominent black ear tufts, while servals have spotted coats, very long legs, and ears without the caracal’s distinctive tufts. The serval’s coat is typically yellowish with black spots and stripes.