Servals
You are now visiting the serval habitat.
Servals are medium-sized wild cats native to Africa, where they live in grasslands, wetlands, and marshy regions. With their extremely long legs, oversized ears, and slender necks, servals are sometimes called the “cats of spare parts” because their features seem almost exaggerated compared to other cats.
Those unusual proportions make servals remarkable hunters. Their huge ears help them detect rodents moving underground, while their long legs allow them to leap high into the air and see over tall grasses. Servals are incredibly successful hunters and can catch prey in more than half of their hunting attempts.
Living here at Cat Tales are Ozzy and Yipka.
Ozzy arrived in 2020 after his family recognized that owning a serval was becoming unsafe and legally complicated. Rather than risk Ozzy being confiscated or euthanized, they chose to place him permanently at Cat Tales. Because servals evolved for warm African climates, Ozzy receives extra winter care here in Washington, including heated resting areas to help protect his large ears and long legs during colder months.
Nearby is Yipka, sometimes called “Yip Yip” because of the vocal sounds he made as a kitten, especially around feeding time. As he matured, his natural wild behaviors became more difficult to manage in a domestic setting, and he was surrendered to Cat Tales in 2026. Even as an adult, Yipka remains very vocal and expressive.
Servals are one of the wild species sometimes used in breeding programs to create Savannah cats, a domestic hybrid breed. Unfortunately, many people underestimate the challenges of caring for wild or hybrid cats as they mature, leading to increasing numbers needing rescue or permanent placement.
Take a moment to notice the servals’ ears, posture, and movement. Their bodies are perfectly adapted for detecting and catching prey hidden deep in tall grass.
As you continue around the sanctuary loop, you will soon arrive at the fox habitats.