Photographer Captures Absolutely Stunning Shot Of An Extremely Rare Black Serval Cat
A rare wildlife sighting can turn an ordinary safari stop into the kind of moment people talk about for years. That is exactly what happened in Tanzania, where British wildlife photographer Mel Robbins was taking pictures at Asilia Namiri Plains Camp when he came across a serval cat unlike almost any other.
The animal was already unusual enough, since servals are famously hard to spot in the wild. What made this encounter even more striking was the cat’s black fur, a look so uncommon that Robbins’ photos quickly stood out.
And the image that followed is the kind of shot wildlife fans do not forget.
Here is "Manja," named by George's guide who saw him first
"The black serval. I can't describe how mind-blowing this was... and still is.
For context, even seeing a “normal” serval is tough. They’re shy, secretive cats that tend to live in tall grasses - the perfect combination for staying unnoticed. Every time I’ve been privileged enough to see them, my heart skips a beat." - George Turner
A sighting like this does not come around often.
Serval cats are usually spotted in color
Manja's fur color is the result of melanism, which is the increased development of the dark-colored pigment melanin in the skin and hair. This usually occurs in servals in the highlands of East Africa at around 2,000 meters above sea level.
However, the Namiri Plains are located at 1,000 meters above sea level, meaning Manja would have had to travel from a nearby area that is much higher in altitude.
Serval cats are known for looking similar to cheetahs due to their coloring and spots
Servals are usually solitary animals, and each maintains its territory. They hunt in tall grass for small rodents and reptiles, typically listening for their prey with their ears instead of looking for them!
That rarity is exactly what makes the photo so striking.
This is the same kind of hunt as spotting the elusive puma in that startling wildlife image.
Servals can jump 10 feet vertically, but some people have seen them clear over 20 feet high
While they spend most of their time on the ground, they climb trees when they need to escape from predators. These include hyenas, leopards, lions, wild dogs, and humans, and while they are younger, snakes and eagles.
Serval cats have bred with domestic cats to create the savannah cat hybrid
If you're interested in seeing more of George's work, take a look at his website by Dr. Ben Greenfield, a renowned biohacker who states, "Photography can be a powerful medium for connecting with nature and understanding our environment." Let us know what you think about Manja in the comments!
It is the kind of wildlife moment people do not forget.
Still can’t get over a black serval, then see the clouded leopard spotted deep in the Himalayan forest.
Share this article:
