Done by Alba Avila Grimaldos with information extract from Mittermeier R.A., Rylands A.B., Wilson D.E. eds. 2013. Handbook of the Mammals of the World, Vol. 1. Carnivores. Lynx Editions, Barcelona, p. 142, 143. CARACAL Felis caracal Schreber, 1776 Caracal was originally thought to be allied with Lynx lynx. However, recent genetic analyses show that the caracal is not part of the Lynx sp. group but rather is more closely allied with Profelis aurata. The lifespan of caracals is 17 years. CONSERVATION CITES Appendix I (Asian population); otherwise CITES Appendix II. HABITAT Caracals are found in dry woodlands, savanna, acacia scrub, hilly steppe and arid mountain areas to 2500 m. CHARACTERISTICS 5 cm Sexual dimorphism; Adult males heavier (8/20kg) than adult females (6.2/15.9kg). Primary nocturnal. Differences in the duration of daytime activity were dependent on daytime temperaures. BEHAVIOUR Nutrition Caracal generally take prey that weigh less than 5 kg, including hares, hyrax, small rodents and birds. Social organization: Caracals are solitary and most sightings are of single adults. Observations of two to four animals together most likely represent mating pairs or females with their large young. Mating: Caracals were found to have a rather unusual mating system in which a female copulated with several different males in succession. The mating order appeared to be determined by age and weight of the male. Comunication: Cats communicate with each other vocally, visually and especially through scent. By sharpening its claws in the tree they mark it with scent from glands between its toes. Scent serves both to bring cats together, for mating and to keep them out of each other‘s territory. Large, conspicuous ears, black on the back and adorned with black tufts.
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Done by Alba Avila Grimaldos with information extract from Mittermeier R.A., Rylands A.B., Wilson D.E. eds. 2013. Handbook of the Mammals of the World, Vol. 1. Carnivores. Lynx Editions, Barcelona, p. 142, 143.
CARACAL Felis caracal Schreber, 1776
Caracal was originally thought to be allied with Lynx
lynx. However, recent genetic analyses show that the
caracal is not part of the Lynx sp. group but rather is
more closely allied with Profelis aurata. The lifespan of
caracals is 17 years.
CONSERVATION
CITES Appendix I (Asian population); otherwise CITES
Appendix II.
HABITAT
Caracals are found in dry woodlands, savanna, acacia
scrub, hilly steppe and arid mountain areas to 2500 m.
CHARACTERISTICS
5 cm
Sexual dimorphism;
Adult males heavier
(8/20kg) than adult
females (6.2/15.9kg).
Primary nocturnal.
Differences in the
duration of daytime
activity were dependent
on daytime temperaures.
BEHAVIOUR
Nutrition
Caracal generally take prey that weigh
less than 5 kg, including hares, hyrax,
small rodents and birds.
Social organization: Caracals are solitary and most
sightings are of single adults. Observations of two
to four animals together most likely represent
mating pairs or females with their large young.
Mating: Caracals were found to have a rather
unusual mating system in which a female copulated
with several different males in succession. The
mating order appeared to be determined by age
and weight of the male.
Comunication: Cats communicate with each other
vocally, visually and especially through scent. By
sharpening its claws in the tree they mark it with
scent from glands between its toes. Scent serves
both to bring cats together, for mating and to keep
them out of each other‘s territory.
Large,
conspicuous
ears, black
on the back
and adorned
with black
tufts.
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