Bobcat Vs Serval: Who Would Win In a Fight?

Both the bobcat and serval are small wild cats that can be found throughout North America.

But, how do you know which one is which?

What are the key differences between them?

And which one would win if they ever come into a fight?

In this bobcat vs serval post, we’ll take a closer look at both of these animals to find answers to those questions.

Let’s take a look.

What is a bobcat?

First, let’s talk about the bobcat.

It’s a wild cat that is small to medium in size.

You will often find these animals in wooded areas.

They have short fur that is usually tan or brown with some black spots.

And they have black tufts on their ears.

They can grow to be anywhere from 18 to 30 inches long and weigh between 15 and 30 pounds.

You won’t find these animals in the wild very often.

What is a serval?

Serval is another small wild cat.

They are also found in wooded areas but they can be found in other habitats as well.

Servals have tall, black-tipped ears and long necks.

They are yellow-orange with spots that are close together.

Servals are about the same size as a bobcat.

They can grow to be anywhere from 20 to 24 inches long and weigh between 20 and 40 pounds.

Bobcat’s strengths and weaknesses

When it comes to strong points, bobcats do have some good ones.

They are very agile and have great hearing.

They are also very good climbers.

That means they can climb trees and get away from predators easily.

When it comes to weaknesses, they don’t have too many.

But, one thing to keep in mind is that they are not very good swimmers.

Serval’s strengths and weaknesses

Servals also have some strong points.

They are very good jumpers and can leap up to 10 feet in the air.

They are also good runners and can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.

They’re very good hunters with a very high success rate.

When it comes to weaknesses, they don’t have too many either.

But, one thing to keep in mind is that they are not very good climbers.

Main differences

Size & weight

The first difference between these two animals is size and weight.

Bobcats are smaller and weigh less than servals.

Servals are about the same size as a bobcat but they can weigh up to 40 pounds.

Fur

The next difference is fur.

Bobcats have short fur that is usually tan or brown with some black spots.

And they have black tufts on their ears.

Servals have long fur that is yellow-orange with spots that are close together.

Ears

Another difference is the ears.

Bobcats have small black-tufted ears.

Servals have tall black-tipped ears.

This difference is helpful in telling them apart.

Legs

One more difference is legs.

Bobcats have shorter legs than servals.

Servals have long legs that help them jump high and run fast.

Teeth and claws

Next, let’s talk about teeth and claws.

Bobcats have sharp teeth and claws that help them kill their prey.

Servals also have sharp teeth and claws but they are not as big or as strong as bobcats.

Speed

Regarding speed, bobcats can run up to 30 miles per hour, while servals can run up to 50 miles per hour.

That means servals are about 50% faster than bobcats and can chase down bobcats quite easily if it wants to.

Endurance

In terms of physical endurance, servals have a higher endurance level than bobcats.

That’s because servals are built for running and chasing down prey.

Bobcats, on the other hand, are more built for climbing and short bursts of speed.

Diet

When it comes to diet, both animals are carnivores.

But, bobcats tend to eat smaller prey than servals.

Bobcats will eat rabbits, mice, and squirrels.

Servals will also eat these animals but they will also eat larger prey such as gazelles and antelopes.

Habitats

Finally, let’s talk about habitats.

Both animals are found in wooded areas.

But, servals can also be found in other habitats such as grasslands and Savannahs.

So, who would win in a fight?

It’s hard to say who would win in a fight between these two animals.

Bobcats are smaller but they are also more agile and have sharper claws.

Servals are bigger and faster but they are not as agile.

In the end, it would probably come down to who got the first lucky punch or kick in.

However, I’d bet my money on the serval because of its size and speed advantages.

Conclusion

All in all, these two beasts are amazing predators with a lot of strong points.

But, when it comes to a fight, the serval would probably win because of its size and speed advantages.

The bobcat, however, could also win if it gets lucky and catches the serval off guard.