caracal

The caracal (Caracal caracal) is a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia. It is known for its distinctive long black ear tufts and a short, uniform coat that ranges from sandy to reddish brown. Adults typically measure 60 to 100 cm in body length, with a 20 to 40 cm tail, and weigh about 8 to 19 kg; males are generally larger than females.

The ears, tipped with long black tufts, and a short, dense coat provide camouflage in tall grass and scrub. The caracal is an agile jumper and climber, capable of leaping to catch birds on the wing and to reach prey in trees or on high perches. It uses stealth and short pursuit to capture prey, relying on speed and power rather than stealth alone.

Caracals are usually solitary and roost at night or during cool hours of the day. They mark territories with urine and anal glands and communicate with vocalizations that include growls, yowls, and mews. Diet is opportunistic, with birds (including game birds), small mammals, rodents, hares, and reptiles. They may prey on domestic livestock in some areas when wild prey is scarce.

Reproduction varies by region; mating can occur year-round in favorable areas. Gestation lasts about 78 to 81 days, yielding litters of 2 to 6 kittens. Kittens are weaned by 2 to 3 months and remain with the mother for several months.

Distribution covers much of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and extending into Central Asia. Caracals occupy open savannas, grasslands, scrublands, and semi-deserts, often using rocky outcrops and shrubs for cover. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern, though regional populations face habitat loss, conflict with humans, and fragmentation; it is protected in many range states.