The CARACAL
is a slender, moderately sized wild cat
characterized by a robust build, a short face, long canine teeth, distinctive tufted
ears, sharply tapered tail and long legs. Its coat is uniformly reddish tan or sandy with white
markings around its eyes
and on its throat, chin, and belly.
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years (in the wild) and up to 19
years or longer in captivity
Speed: up to 80km/h
Scientific name: Caracal caracal
Mass: 12 kg – 20kg (Adult)
Height: 40 – 50cm (adult at shoulder)
Did you know:
Back Ear: The name Caracal is
derived from the Turkish word "karakulak" which means "black
ear".
High-jumper: The Caracal is very
agile and can leap higher than 3.7m to catch birds like guinea-fowl &
pigeons in mid-air. Alternatively, it stalks its prey until it is within 5m of
it and then gives chase. The Caracal resembles a cross between
a leopard and a lynx, it has a powerful build and leopard-like bark.
Excellent tree climbers,
caracal will drag their prey into a tree to be eaten away from other predators.
Habitat: Caracals
live in the open, drier savannah and woodland regions of sub-Saharan Africa and
prefer the more scrubby, arid habitats. They will also inhabit evergreen and
montane forests but are not found in tropical rain forests. They hide and sleep in
crevices among rocks and fallen trees.
Nocturnal: The caracal is highly
secretive and difficult to observe. It is territorial and lives
mainly alone or in pairs. The caracal is a carnivore that
typically preys upon small mammals, birds and rodents. It is generally active at
sunrise & sunset, although during the hottest months it hunts at night.
Unfortunately they also
prey on livestock like goats and sheep, therefore are they are sometimes killed
for suspected predation and as a result are very weary of humans.
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