Can a serval be a house pet?

Some people keep serval cats as exotic pets today, but they are limited in number. The serval isn’t a domestic house cat with awesome abilities. Rather, a serval cat is a wild animal with specific needs and inherited instincts that must be nurtured in a specific environment.

Are serval good pet?

These wild cats are not much bigger than a medium-size dog, but they still retain their wild instincts and are cunning escape artists – they are definitely not appropriate house pets. They are difficult to contain in a home or enclosure setting, and pose a risk to people, children and other pets.

How much does a serval cost?

Most of the mid-size cats, like Servals and Caracals, cost $1700.00 to $2800.00 and Ocelots can run as high as $15,000.00. The more rare the cat, the higher the price.

How high can a serval jump?

Servals are renowned for their athletic ability and agility, and will leap high to attack prey; they can leap 1–4 m horizontally and 3.5 m vertically (Webber 2004). Figure 2. Serval demonstrating a vertical jump of almost 2.5 metres.

How long does a serval live?

Servals generally live 10 to 12 years in the wild and can live up to 20 years or more in captivity.

Can servals be affectionate?

They can be affectionate but require patience and a gentle hand in training. While you can try to socialize a serval, they will often remain shy of strangers and can be frightened by visitors. These cats are usually shy during the day and more active at night.

How big does a serval cat get?

The serval is a slender, medium-sized cat; it stands 54 to 62 cm (21–24 in) at the shoulder and weighs 8 to 18 kg (18–40 lb), but females tend to be lighter. The head-and-body length is typically between 67 and 100 cm (26–39 in). Males tend to be sturdier than females.

Where is it legal to own a serval?

You can obtain a license to own a serval in Texas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maine, Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, and South Dakota. In all the other states, serval ownership is illegal.

What does the serval eat?

Servals eat a great variety of prey, including rodents, birds, reptiles, frogs, and insects. They catch much of their prey by leaping high into the air and pouncing. They have also been seen using their long forelimbs to reach into burrows or to hook fish out of the water.

How many babies does a serval have?

The female serval raises her kittens alone, usually three kittens to a litter. They live in a den made of tall, thick grass or perhaps an abandoned burrow.

Do serval cats climb trees?

Servals are native to the savanna grasslands of southern and central Africa. The serval cat is capable of a ten foot vertical leap, and witnesses have observed them clearing spans of twenty feet or more. Although they spend most of their time on the ground, they will climb trees to escape predators.

Can you keep a serval as a pet?

Servals are an exotic (non-native) species of cat. As such, in many states, counties, or cities, servals are illegal to have as pets. Even if you did live in an area where it is legal to have a serval as a pet, many people regret trying it.

Where are servals legal to own?

Servals are legal in Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. The big cats require a class II wildlife permit while Texas allows servals with a license called a certificate of registration.

Are serval cats dangerous?

Domesticated servals . There has never been any incidents of a serval turning on and mortally injuring anyone. Because they are flight cats. They run when they sense danger and they consider humans dangerous. They are closely related to domestic cats and this is why they are able to breed and have viable young.

How much do servals cost?

Second generations (29\% serval) can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000, while third generations (16\% serval) can cost anywhere $1,000 to $6,500. Lastly, a fourth generation can cost $1,000 to $2,800.