Caracalカラカル

Species Data

Classification

Carnivora / Felidae Source

Size

Body length about 61–108 cm, tail about 18–34 cm, shoulder height about 38–50 cm

Weight

Males about 8–20 kg, females about 6.2–16 kg

Lifespan

Wild: about 12 years; captive: about 16 years

Diet

Carnivore Carnivorous, eating birds, small antelopes, rodents, hares, hyraxes, and reptiles; small mammals make up more than 80% of its prey, and it can occasionally bring down prey 2–3 times its own weight

Activity

Essentially nocturnal but sometimes active by day; tends to be most active when temperatures fall below 20°C

Distribution

The caracal ranges across most of Africa south of the Sahara (excluding equatorial rainforest), the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of Pakistan and India. Source

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org animaldiversity.org

Did You Know?

• The caracal's name derives from the Turkish word 'karakulak,' meaning 'black ear,' referencing the distinctive black tufts on its ear tips. Source
• Thanks to powerful hind legs, the caracal can leap more than 3 m into the air to snatch birds on the wing. Source
• In Iran and India, caracals were historically trained and used as hunting animals for catching birds. Source

FAQ

Why is the caracal called the 'black ear' cat?

Its name comes from the Turkish word 'karakulak,' meaning black ear, a reference to the long black tufts on the tips of its ears. Source

How high can a caracal jump?

It can leap more than 3 m straight up, a skill it uses to knock birds out of the air. Source

Is the caracal endangered?

No, the caracal is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, owing to its wide distribution across more than 50 countries in Africa and Asia. Source

How many operating facilities are registered here?

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 5 Source

Books & gear

• Caracal book
• binoculars