Caracal caracal
caracal

Caracals are found in most regions of northern Africa, the Arabian peninsula, and southwestern Asia.

Caracals are at home in a number of habitats. They are found in woodlands, savannahs, and in scrub forests, but avoid sandy deserts. In Southern Africa, this species is more commonly found in upland areas. Caracals typically use abandoned porcupine burrows and rock crevices for maternal dens but can be found with their young in dense vegetation.

Caracals are very striking beasts. From head to tail, the caracal measures 830-1225mm, with the tail accounting for 230-310 mm of this length. The short reddish-brown pelage on the back and flanks is contrasted by the white fur on the chin, throat and ventrum. Most notably, the caracal's ears, which are long and slender, are topped by long tufts of black fur.

Caracals are nocturnal animals. Although mainly terrestrial, they are excellent jumpers and climbers. They are the fastest felids of their size. The social system of the caracal is not well understood. They are primarily solitarily or live as mated pairs. Individuals appear to defend territories which they mark with urine.

Caracal are strictly carnivorous. They prey primarily on birds, rodents, and small antelopes. Like most felids, caracals stalk their prey before pouncing upon it. In areas of human settlement, these cats sometimes eat poultry. Caracals sometimes store the remains of their prey in the forks of trees or in dense bushes, later returning for further feeding.

Poultry farmers are not fond of caracals. The skill of these cats at jumping and climbing have allowed them to exploit poultry as a staple food despite the fences farmers have erected.

Caracals are easily captured and tamed. In Iran and India they have been used to assist hunters.

The Soviet Central Asian subspecies has an IUCN listing as rare. All Asian populations have a CITES appendix 1 listing.