. The carnivores of West Africa. 4lS THE CARNIVORES OF WEST AFRICA The precise nature of the ground vegetation in which these cats find shehcr is immaterial, whether it be forest imdergrowth, grassy tangle or palustrine reeds; but all observers are agreed that the proximity of water seems a desirable factor; and it is of course true that it is near water that the ground cover is generally most dense, especially in the drier vegetation belts. If necessary, the serval shows itself to be an efficient climber but it is predominantly a terrestrial animal. For breeding purposes it resorts to holes,
. The carnivores of West Africa. 4lS THE CARNIVORES OF WEST AFRICA The precise nature of the ground vegetation in which these cats find shehcr is immaterial, whether it be forest imdergrowth, grassy tangle or palustrine reeds; but all observers are agreed that the proximity of water seems a desirable factor; and it is of course true that it is near water that the ground cover is generally most dense, especially in the drier vegetation belts. If necessary, the serval shows itself to be an efficient climber but it is predominantly a terrestrial animal. For breeding purposes it resorts to holes, not made by itself since its digging powers are nil but those originally excavated by aardvarks or porcupines, or at the bases of termitaries, or in hollow logs, or amongst. Fig. 56. Felis serval: skull, No. , ^, x i; lateral view rocks. Whether such places as these are used at other times as ordinary day to day refuges or whether these animals are normally content to sleep curled up 111 ground vegetation has not been determined. Since hunting or at least the greater part of it is carried out at night good nocturnal vision IS indicated as in most cats; but from the enormous external ears backed by unusually large bullae it may be inferred that hearing also plays a prominent role in this animal's activities. The prey sought after is that common to all these small and medium sized cats: rodents of all kinds, including the larger ones such as the cutting- grass [Thryoiiomys) and the giant rat (Criatomys), squirrels and hares. The smaller. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Rosevear, Donovan Reginald, 1900-1986; British Museum (Natural History). Department of Zoology. [Mammals]. London : Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History)
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