The caracal (or Caracal caracal) is a small wildcat living in the savannahs, marshes, semi-deserts and wood and scrublands of Africa and the Middle East. Its coat is tan-red with a paler underside and the body is stocky with large feet and a comparatively short tail. It has large pointed ears with long, black tufts protruding from the tips, as well as dark facial markings above the eyes and sides of their lips. Caracal males are slightly larger than females, but sexes otherwise look alike. Males stand 41cm to 53cm tall at the shoulder, have a head-body length of 75cm to 108cm with and weigh 7.2kg to 19kg. Females are 39cm to 51cm tall, 71cm to 103cm long and weigh 7kg to 15.9kg. The short tail is between 18cm and 34cm long.
Latin Name
Caracal caracal
Featured
true
Slug
caracal
Site
Thumbnail
Image
Conservation Status
Animal Category
Region
Associated Product
Animal Facts
The word caracal is derived from the Turkish 'Kara-kulak' which means ‘black ear’.
The caracal can jump over 3m straight up into the air, often using this skill to catch airborne birds.
The caracal is able to take down prey 3 times their size.
Caracals are also known as ‘desert lynxes’ due to their lynx-like tufted ears and bobbed tail resembling lynx characteristics. Still, the lynx and caracal remain separate genera.
The caracal has been trained to assist humans with hunting, and has also been featured in sport hunting where watchers would place bets on how much prey the caracal could catch in a set period of time.
Related Product