Caracal are the largest of the small cats and are often classed as 'medium-sized' cats.
NAME
The name Caracal comes from Turkish word "karakulak" meaning 'black eared'. The Swahili name for Caracal is "Simbamangu" which means 'secretive lion' or 'secretive cat' as they are rarely seen.
IDENTIFICATION
The Caracal resembles a lynx with the dark tufts on its large, pointed ears. It is one of the few cat species that dont have any spots or stripes on its coat. More...
UNIQUE BEHAVIOUR
Caracal are capable of tremendous aerial acrobatic jumps. They can leap into the air and knock down 10-12 birds at one time. Watch a video...
Caracal occur throughout Africa and South East Asia but are absent from from the extreme desert regions and rainforests. More...
HISTORY
The Caracal was once tamed and trained for bird hunting in Iran and India. They were put into arenas containing a flock of pigeons, and wagers were made as to how many the cat would take down. This is the origination of the expression "to put a cat amongst the pigeons".
