Key Facts about Caracal

About Caracal:

• It is an elusive medium-sized wild cat species.
• Scientific Name: Caracal caracal.
• It is often referred to as the desert lyn;, however, they are more closely related to the African golden cat and the Serval.
• In India, it is called siya gosh, a Persian name that translates as ‘black Ear’.
• Distribution:
  • It is native to Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, northwestern India and arid areas of Pakistan.
  • Their numbers in India have dwindled to an estimated 50, primarily in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• Habitat:
  • It can be found in many environments, such as semi-deserts, savannahs, shrublands, steppes, forests, and woodlands.
  • It prefers dry areas with very little rainfall.
• Features:
  • The caracal has a solid build, long legs, a short face, and tufted ears.
  • They are the largest of Africa’s small wild cats, with males reaching 31 inches in length and females 29 inches in length.
  • A vital feature of the cat is the black tufts on its ears.
  • The cat’s fur is generally a red-tan or sand, although some black caracals have also been seen.
  • Dark lines and white spots can be found near the nose and eyes.
  • The fur is short and thick, and the cat’s back legs are longer than the front.
  • They are remarkable jumpers and can jump up to 3 meters (10 feet) into the air to knock flushed birds down with their paw.
  • They can reach speeds of up to 50 mph (80 kph) when in full flight.
  • Like most species of cat, the caracal is predominantly nocturnal.
  • They live in small herds and their shy and elusive nature makes them difficult to spot in the wild.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least concern.