Caracals
BEHAVIOR

Caracals (scientific name: Caracal caracal) are solitary cats, living most of their lives alone. Female caracals will take care of their kittens until they are around a year old and then the kittens leave to find their own territories. In Africa, Caracals are known as “Little Lions” for their fierce attitudes and aggressive nature.

COLOR PATTERN
  • Reddish-brown, tawny (orange-brown) colored fur
  • Black ears with long tufts of hair at the tips, thought to be used for communication with young or other caracals
  • White bellies

WHERE WE LIVE

Caracals live in Africa and the Middle East in a variety of habitats including woodlands, savannas, and semi-deserts. They live in mostly arid (dry) habitats with some rainfall and cover. A caracal will typically remain in its territory its entire life. Female caracals have smaller habitats than males.

WEIGHT
Caracal 9-42 pounds
 
House Cat 12 pounds
LENGTH
Caracal 23-36 inches long
 
A Man’s Stride           36 inches long
Bonus
Caracal         A caracal can jump 10 feet up in the air
 
Basketball Hoop           10 feet tall
WHAT WE EAT

OBLIGATE CARNIVORE

  • Birds
  • Snakes
  • Sheep
  • Small Antelopes

Caracals are excellent bird catchers and can swat one out of the air as it flies by.

 

THREATS

  • Habitat Loss
    Caracals are losing a lot of their habitat to farming and urbanization.
  • Retaliatory Killings
    Farmers hunt caracals when the caracals take their livestock.
  • Considered: Least Concern
Did you know…

Caracal kittens make their first kill at
3
Months old!
Did you know…

CARACALS CAN TAKE DOWN PREY
3X
THEIR SIZE!
Did you know…

Caracals can
jump
10
feet in the air!