Serval

Servals are wild cats native to Africa. They are rare in North Africa and the Sahel, and spread thinly throughout sub-Saharan regions. Their large ears, long necks, short tails, lean bodies, and long legs, give them their nickname "giraffe cats.” Servals have unique coat patterns that vary between individuals (much like fingerprints) and help them blend into grasslands. Skilled hunters with the best success rate among  all cat species, Servals can leap 9 feet vertically and pounce up to 12 feet. They count on their keen hearing—their ears can rotate 180º—to locate prey underground, and primarily hunt rodents, birds, reptiles, fish, and insects. These stunning animals face serious threats from habitat loss, illegal fur trade, predator control programs, and hunting for sport. In the wild, Servals live around 10 years, but in captivity, they can live up to 20 years.

‍