The caracal is a medium-sized wildcat that is often referred to as the desert lynx, however, they are more closely related to the African golden cat and the Serval. The name ‘caracal’ comes from ‘karakulak’ – a Turkish word that means black ear (you can probably guess why!).
Caracals are medium-sized cats with slender bodies and long legs; they are the largest of the African small cats. The Caracals’ fur is short and dense and is tawny-brown to reddish tan colour with whitish underparts. Their face is marked with dark lines and white spots around their eyes. The backs of their ears are black with long tufts at the top that grow to around 1.75 inches long. Their ears have around 20 muscles which allow them extra movement, and it’s thought that the tufts enhance the sound going into their ears as well as help them to communicate.
Caracals can weigh between 8-18kg and can reach up to one meter in length. Males usually weigh more and are bigger than females.
The caracal can reach speeds of up to 50mph (80kph) when in full flight!
Caracals have outstanding agility and can leap up to 4 meters in the air to catch their prey.
The caracal can be found in the deserts, forests and savannas across much of Africa as well as parts of the Middle East. They can also live from the Arabian Peninsula through Northwest India.
The Caracals is a member of the Caracal lineage which falls under the Felidae family.
Gestation lasts between two and three months, resulting in a litter of one to six kittens. Females will raise their kittens solo, without any help from the males. They will nurse their young for four to six months and once they are nine to ten months old the children will be ready to leave their mothers.
Caracals are carnivores meaning that they live on a meat-based diet. They are also excellent hunters and will target any prey that they can find. They will eat a wide range of animals including mongoose, rodents, hyraxes, birds, small antelope and even small monkeys. Unlike many other small African cats, the caracal won’t hesitate to target prey larger than themselves, including young kudu and springbok.
The biggest threats to the caracal are hyenas, lions and humans.
The caracal is a wild cat that is native to a wide range of habitats in Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Caracals are adaptable animals that can live in a variety of environments, including grasslands, savannas, scrublands, and forests. In Africa, caracals are found in a variety of habitats, from desert regions to savannas and forested areas. In the Middle East, caracals are typically found in deserts and arid regions, although they are also known to inhabit more wooded areas. In Central Asia, caracals can be found in a range of habitats, including grasslands, rocky terrain, and desert areas.
No, caracals are not an endangered species. On the IUCN Red List they are classified as of ‘Least Concern’.
The average lifespan of a Caracal can be up to 12 years in the wild but much longer in captivity, around 16 years.
To support our conservation efforts you can become a member of the Big Cat Sanctuary today, or buy a membership for a friend or family member. Or, to get up close and personal with our resident cats you can book a big cat experience today.
March 22, 2024
The new series kicks off with a double dose of excitement from the iconic San Diego Zoo and its breathtaking Safari Park in the USA. With over 15,000 animal residents, including Komodo dragons, Galapagos tortoises, and polar bears, get ready to come face to face with nature’s wonders. Join brothers – Aaron, Tyler, and Cam – as they embark on a fact-finding mission
The Big Cat Sanctuary is pleased to announce the newest addition to the family, Kuda, a Sri Lankan Rusty Spotted Cat. Kuda is 5 years old and was born on the 30th of April 2018 at Hamerton Zoo Park. He joined us on Tuesday 13th February after a smooth 3-hour journey from Hamerton.
The London Beach Country Hotel Spa and Golf Club have partnered with The Big Cat Sanctuary for many years and they offer benefits of an excellent charity scheme. The way it works is you are able to enjoy Sunday lunch, cream teas, lunches, dinners and even a round of golf and the full value of the food including the green fees for golf ate donated to The Big Cat Sanctuary as the charity of your choice.
