Caracal

Caracal Latest News

In Madhya Pradesh’s Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, a caracal, a threatened wild cat, was recently captured on camera, marking the first sighting in the state in 20 years.

About Caracal

• It is a medium-sized wildcat that 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’.
• Scientific Name: Caracal caracal

Caracal Distribution

• Caracals live on rocky hills or grasslands in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
• Their numbers in India have dwindled to an estimated 50, primarily in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• Habitat: They are keenly adapted to the potentially harsh environments of savanna, semi-desert, dry woodland, arid hilly steppe, and dry mountains. 

Caracal Features

• They have slender bodies and long legs; they are the largest of the African small cats.
• They can weigh between 8-18 kg and can reach up to one meter in length. Males usually weigh more and are bigger than females. 
• The fur is short and dense and is tawny-brown to reddish-tan in colour with whitish underparts. 
• Their face is marked with dark lines and white spots around their eyes.
• Large, tapering ears with five cm erect tufts of black hair, used for communication, are the most unique feature of this cat.
• They are remarkable jumpers and can jump up to 3 meters (10 feet) into the air to knock flushed birds down with their paw. 
• The caracal 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

• IUCN Red List: Least concern
• The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Source: TOI