Listen to the serval
Tip: press play to see the sound's live frequency spectrum in blue over the waveform.
About the serval
The serval is a mammal in the family Felidae (order Carnivora). Its conservation status on the IUCN Red List is “least concern”.
What does the serval sound like?
Mammals produce sound with their larynx, from deep roars and rumbles to squeaks, barks, howls and – in bats, whales and dolphins – ultrasonic clicks used for echolocation.
From Wikipedia
The serval (Leptailurus serval) is a wild small cat native to Africa. It is widespread in sub-Saharan countries, where it inhabits grasslands, wetlands, moorlands and bamboo thickets. Across its range, it occurs in protected areas, and hunting it is either prohibited or regulated in range countries.
It is the sole member of the genus Leptailurus. Three subspecies are recognised. The serval is a slender, medium-sized cat that stands 54–62 cm (21–24 in) tall at the shoulder and has a weight range of approximately 9–18 kg (20–40 lb). It is characterised by a small head, large ears, a golden-yellow to buff coat spotted and striped with black, and a short, black-tipped tail. The serval has the longest legs of any cat relative to its body size.
More from the family Felidae
Frequently asked questions
What does a serval sound like?
You can hear 1 recording of the serval on this page. Mammals produce sound with their larynx, from deep roars and rumbles to squeaks, barks, howls and – in bats, whales and dolphins – ultrasonic clicks used for echolocation.
Is the serval endangered?
The IUCN Red List classifies the serval as “least concern”.
What family does the serval belong to?
The serval (Leptailurus serval) belongs to the family Felidae in the order Carnivora.
Sources & credits
- Artis, serval kat - SoundCloud - Beeld en Geluid by Beeld en Geluid – CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Wikidata Q42699 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Serval – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo by datadan – CC BY 4.0