The Making of a Diorama
The Habitat Views video considers ways of looking at dioramas today, and documents the creation of several new displays. Take a look over on our YouTube Channel >
Recreating Nature Indoors
Ever wonder who made the dioramas in our mammal halls? Read all about the artists who created these wonderful scenes. Learn more >
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Mammalogy Contacts
Jim Dines
Collections Manager
(213) 763-3400
jdines@nhm.org
David Janiger
Curatorial Assistant
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Serval
Felis (Leptailurus) serval (Schreber, 1776)
Scene:
Samburu National Reserve, KenyaSponsor:
William J. CheneyBackground artist:
Duncan Alanson SpencerThe serval is a specialized hunter and has very acute hearing to help pinpoint its small prey. Its long legs also let the serval see over the tall savannah grasses to detect signs of movement of potential prey.
Servals have been extensively hunted for their fur. They are still common in West and East Africa but are now extinct in southernmost Africa and very rare north of the Sahara.
Male servals have been bred to domestic cats to produce the Savanna Cat breed. Servals have also been bred with caracals (their nearest relatives) to produce servicals and caravels.
Biological Information
Range:
Sub-Saharan Africa except Congo Basin and southern tip of Africa.
Habitat:
Open savannas to high mountain meadows.
Status:
Declining in areas of dense settlement.
Diet:
Carnivorous: small antelopes, hares, lizards, rodents, birds.
Further information about this species may be found on the Animal Diversity Web page for serval.