The caracal is a slender, small wild cat that can be found throughout Africa, Central Asia, India and the Middle East. The name is made up of two Turkish words meaning “black” and “ear”. The caracal is related to the African golden cat and serval. According to a recent study, it is a million years older than the lynx. Caracals were  trained and used in hunting by Indian royalty.

Conservation Status:  Least Concern
Scientific Name:  Caracal caracal

There are three recognized subspecies;

Asiatic caracal (Caracal caracal schmitzi) – Asia/Middle East

Southern caracal (Caracal caracal caracal) – Southern and Eastern Africa

Northern Caracal (Carical carack nubicus) – North and West Africa

Although the cat’s conservation status is listed as Least Concern, it is Threatened in North Africa, and Critically Endangered in Morocco.

About Caracals

Physical Appearance

The caracal has a very strong build, long legs, a short face and tufted ears. They are the largest of Africa’s small wild cats, with males reaching 31 inches in length and females 29 inches in length. A key feature of the cat are the black tufts on its ears. The cat’s fur is generally a red-tan or sand color, although some black caracals have also been seen. Dark lines and white spots can be found near the nose and eyes. The fur is short and thick, and the cat’s back legs are longer than its front legs.

Territory

A Caracal near a rockThe caracal inhabits an area that extends from Africa to Asia, including Turkey, the Arabian Peninsula, Middle East and India. Caracals be found in many different types of environments, such as semi-deserts, savannah, shrubland,  steppes, forests and woodlands. It seems to prefer dry areas with very little rainfall.

Hunting and Prey

Caracals are usually nocturnal, but can also been seen during the day. Even though it is a very good climber, it usually hunts on the ground. Typical prey include hares, antelopes, gazelle, rodents, hyraxes, birds, mice, fish and reptiles. It can jump up to an amazing 10 feet in the air to catch birds. Caracals also prey on domestic animals like sheep, goat and chickens.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Caracals live alone or sometimes in pairs. Breeding occurs on and off throughout the year.  Females are pregnant for 78 to 80 days. Litters range from one to six kittens. The average lifespan is 16 years.

Conservation

The major threats to the Caracal are habitat destruction and hunting. Many time the hunting is retaliation for the killing of livestock. Caracals have also been killed by larger wild cats such as tigers and leopards. Many countries prohibit the killing of caracals. However, because the caracal is seen as a livestock problem, Namibia and South Africa allow hunting.