All about the Caracal: A fierce and vicious member of the wild cat family

Apr 18, 2025 etimes.in

All about Caracals

The wild cat family is wide and diverse, and from the fierce Lions to the vicious Lynx, all of them make a part of the wildlife. And one of these is the Caracal, a rare member of the wild cat family that is fierce, fast, and distinct looking. Here are 10 facts about it. canva

Sharp looks and tufted ears

The Caracal is a medium-sized wild cat and can be easily identified with its black ear tufts, long, upright ears, and fierce look on its face. They have a sleek body, powerful build, and reddish-brown coat. canva

Their incredible speed

Caracals are extremely fast and agile, and their leaps and jumps are a spectacle to say the least. They can catch birds and other prey even when in air, and their hind legs make their runs and their leaps quick. canva

Their nature

Caracals are dominantly solitary in nature, and prefer to live and hunt alone. Their isolation is one of the reasons why they are rare to spot. canva

Where are they found?

Caracals are native to Africa, the Middle East, and parts of India and Central Asia. They usually live in dry areas like deserts and savannas. canva

Their prey

Caracals although are rather small wild cats as compared to some of their counterparts, they still take on prey twice their size. They hunt around for small antelopes and can take down animals that are larger than them. canva

The sounds of a Caracal

According to many, Caracals, although are wild ‘cats’, don’t roar or purr. They growl, hiss, and even make other noises, but don’t have the classic cat sounds. canva

Hunting habits

In some parts of the world, Caracals are trained to be hunting companions. Their jumps, their speed, their wild nature, all of it is tamed and trained. canva

The threat to populations

Like many wild animals, caracals too face dangers from habitat loss, human conflict, and illegal hunting. In some areas, they are hunted because they prey on livestock, which brings them into conflict with farmers. canva

The current numbers

Although there isn’t an exact global population number for the Caracal, in India, we only have about 50-60 Caracals left, according to reports, in isolated parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. canva

Can they be kept as pets?

Time and again, some videos go viral online of families who have kept Caracals as pets. And while they can be trained to an extent, they are still wild cats whose nature can be unpredictable. canva

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