Servals For Sale

Serval

A Serval is an exotic cat that is native to South Africa and commonly referred to as a "tiger bush cat." They thrive in moist climates and are most often found in the wetter portions of Africa. Due to human population taking over their habitats, the number of Servals in existence has dwindled. Though they are not yet threatened with extinction, they are being closely monitored in their natural habitat.

A Serval can easily be domesticated and are often revered by cat lovers. When raised from infancy, and properly socialized, they can be the perfect companion for humans and other domesticated animals. However, those wishing to own one should be aware of the special care that a Serval needs in order to thrive.

Housing A Serval

If you are thinking about owning a Serval, it is important to understand the type of housing they need. Though they are relatively small cats, they still need plenty of space to climb and play. Ideally the perfect housing for this exotic animal is one in which they are able to enjoy both the indoors and the outdoors as they please. Like most other felines, a Serval enjoys a certain amount of independence. Outdoors you will want to ensure that you have a safe, completely enclosed area for leisure and play. Unlike other domesticated animals, should they escape it is unlikely they will return on their own. While they are relatively harmless to humans, once free they are extremely difficult to capture.

Enrichment

Servals are a very loving and social animals, which means that as the owner you will need to be available to spend time with your new pet. If you work long hours or travel a lot, the Serval may not be the right companion for you. Like most other cats, they are lively and playful. They enjoy climbing and need space to move freely. Creating an environment in which the Serval can be energetic and playful without destroying your property or getting hurt is important. A Serval cat is known to be extremely intelligent, and they often display similar characteristics to dogs. They can be leash trained and love going for walks. They can also be taught to fetch, which is a great way to ensure they get plenty of exercise, while bonding with you.

What does a Serval eat

In the wild, Serval cats are natural carnivores. This means that their diet consists mostly of meat. The best diet to feed them is whole prey in the form of small chickens or rats. If you are unable to find a supplier in your area, you can substitute whole prey for store bought, raw chicken. However, because raw chicken lacks vital nutrients that are found in whole prey, you will also need to provide a vitamin supplement as well. There are also commercial foods that may be used as part of a healthy diet. Zupreme and Mazuri are two brands of commercial food that is specifically designed for exotic cats.

Breeding Serval Cats

Servals are poly-estrous, which means they are able to breed several times a year. The female cat becomes sexually mature at one year of age. When a female goes into heat, she is only fertile for up to four days. Once impregnated, the gestation period lasts just over two months. Most females will give birth to only two kittens during each breeding period. Many breeders choose to mate a Serval with another domestic cat. In this case, a hybrid cat breed is born and is referred to as the Savannah Cat.

Characteristics

The Serval may share many of the same instincts and traits as other cats, but they have very distinctive physical characteristics. They are tall and slender, and due to the length of their legs are considered one of the tallest cats. Since they are native to Africa where most everything is brown, their unique striped and spotted coat allows for the perfect camouflage. They also have spots behind their ears that resemble eyes in order to protect them from surprise attacks in the wild. The Serval is very strong and agile, having the ability to easily jump 10-13 feet. Aside from the cheetah, this exotic cat is one of the fastest, and can reach speeds of up to thirty miles per hour.

Owning an exotic animal can be a very rewarding experience. However, it is important to know what specific needs your new pet requires to live a healthy, long life.