Caracal

Caracal Latest News

In a groundbreaking discovery, the elusive Asiatic Caracal has been spotted at Ramgarh in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

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’.

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Caracal 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.

Caracal 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.

Caracal 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.

Caracal Conservation Status

It is classified as ‘ Least Concern’ under the IUCN Red List.

Source: DH