Carnivores: Aardwolf African Wild Cat African Wild Dog Banded Mongoose Bat Eared Fox Black-backed Jackal Brown Hyena Cape Clawless Otter Cape Fox Caracal Cheetah Civet Dhole Ethiopian Wolf Large Spotted Genet Golden Jackal Honey badger Jaguar Leopard African Lion Asiatic Lion Sand Cat Serval Side Striped Jackal Snow Leopard Spotted Hyena Striped Hyena Suricate (Meercat) Tiger White Tailed Mongoose Yellow Mongoose
The Caracal takes its name from its black ears. The word Caracal comes from the Turkish word "karakulak", meaning black ears. The caracal is also sometimes referred to as the Desert Lynx or Persian Lynx.
There are 9 recognised Caracal subspecies...
In Africa:
In Asia:
Caracal are easily identified by the prominent tufts of hair on the tips of their black ears. Their coats are short and sandy coloured, with white patches on their underside, throat and chin. The sandy colour of the coat acts as an excellent camouflage in semi desert areas such as most of Namibia. The caracal is smaller than many of the other predators found in Namibia, standing approximately 40-50 centimetres in height, and weighing approximately 10-14 kilograms, with males being generally heavier than females.
The Caracal is generally nocturnal, and is active around dusk and dawn. Like many cats, it is quite happy to spend the hot day sleeping somewhere safe and comfortable.
Caracal generally hunt birds, rodents, scrub hares, hyraxes, and small antelope. The caracal has an amazing jump and is capable of jumping up to heights of two metres - a useful skill when hunting birds. Caracal will take roosting birds, including large birds such as the Martial Eagle.
Caracals are found in different kinds of habitats including wooded areas, farmland, and desert or semi-desert areas - pretty much anywhere they can find sufficient prey to hunt.
Caracal are found throughout Namibia including the Namib desert in the extreme west.
Caracal are found in countries across Africa, as well as Asia and the middle east.
Caracal distribution in Namibia
Caracals have a gestation period of approximately 70 days. They give birth to between 1 and 4 cubs. The cubs are born with their eyes closed which open at around 7 to 10 days. Cubs are fully weaned at 4 months, but eat some meat from about 6 weeks old. They remain with their mother until the age of about 12 months when they become independent.
Caracal have been kept as pets for thousands of years Like Cheetah, they were often used for hunting.
Caracal are listed on CITES Appendix II, except for the Asian populations which are listed under Appendix 1.
© Predator Conservation Trust.
