Serval Kitten Licked Like Crazy By Mom

A five-week-old African serval kitten was weighed by animal care staff at the San Diego Zoo this morning. The small kitten, weighing in today at three pounds, was born to first time mother, Onshe, at the Zoo’s Kopje area on October 7. 

Animal care staff began taking weekly weight checks of the young cat to monitor his growth and ensure that he is getting the nutrition that he needs. In order to get a weight check, keepers temporarily separate kitten and mother and then place the kitten into a plastic container on a scale to get an accurate weight. "The activity that we did this morning, getting a body weight on the kitten, is important for us to not only collect information for the future but also to get an idea of how the kitten is growing and his status as he gets bigger," said Lisa Martin, animal care supervisor at the San Diego Zoo. 

The kitten is very curious of his surroundings and is getting more confident exploring the exhibit, which features rock outcroppings, various plants and tree limbs to climb on. The young cat is currently getting all of his nutrition from his mother by nursing, but he has recently begun investigating some solid food items as well. 

Guests can see the two servals on exhibit in the Zoo’s Kopje area. Prior to Onshe giving birth to her kitten, keepers moved the mother’s mate to a separate area so mother and kitten could bond. 

In the wild, a serval mother would raise her kittens alone, so keepers are providing Onshe with that same opportunity. 

African servals are small, slender cats with long legs, a lean body, short tail, and a small head. They are found primarily in the Sahara Desert near waterways in the savanna and forests. In the wild, servals can be harmed by habitat loss, global climate change, and hunting for their fur.