Overview
In the stillness of early morning or the fading light of dusk, a flash of tawny fur and black-tipped ears may be the only glimpse of a caracal. Lean, muscular and exceptionally elusive, this medium-sized wild cat is built for stealth, speed and sudden bursts of power.
Caracals inhabit a wide range of dry and open environments, from savannah and scrub to semi-desert, rocky hills and dry woodland. Their plain reddish or sandy coat provides excellent camouflage, while their long legs and compact body allow them to move quietly through grass and broken terrain.
They hunt mainly on the ground, stalking birds and small to medium-sized mammals before launching a rapid attack. Caracals are especially famous for their ability to spring vertically into the air and swat birds from flight. Despite being capable climbers, they are usually seen—or more often not seen—moving close to cover.
Behaviour & How to Identify
Look for a sleek, long-legged cat with a short reddish-brown coat, pale underparts and a relatively short tail. The face carries dark lines around the eyes and muzzle, while the backs of the ears are black and topped with long, dramatic tufts.
The function of the ear tufts is not fully settled, but they may help with visual communication by exaggerating ear movements. The ears themselves are highly mobile and play an important role in detecting prey, although the often-repeated claim that they contain “over 20 muscles” is not well enough established to use as a key fact.
Caracals are mainly solitary and usually most active at night, although daytime activity can increase in cooler conditions or protected areas. They rest in dense vegetation, rocky crevices or abandoned burrows during the heat of the day.
Interesting facts
A caracal can leap around three metres into the air. This allows it to strike at birds as they take flight.
Its name means “black ear”. The word caracal comes from the Turkish karakulak, referring to the dark backs of its ears.
Caracals were once trained for bird hunting. In parts of Persia and India, trained caracals were used to catch pigeons and other birds for sport.