Mammals
Caracal
Caracal caracal
The caracal is a medium-sized cat with a uniform tawny coat, recognisable by the long black tufts on its ears. It is an extremely agile hunter, capable of vertical leaps that let it snatch birds in flight.
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In short
The caracal (Caracal caracal) is a species with IUCN conservation status LC (Least concern). It occupies a wide variety of dry habitats: savanna, scrub, steppe and desert edges. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: view the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the caracal live?
It occupies a wide variety of dry habitats: savanna, scrub, steppe and desert edges. Solitary and territorial, it hunts mainly at night, taking small and medium mammals, birds and rodents.
Is the caracal endangered?
The IUCN Red List rates it Least Concern (LC) globally, but populations are declining in North Africa and Asia. Threats include persecution by herders, habitat loss and trade.
Facts about the caracal
- It jumps over 3 metres vertically to strike birds in flight.
- The ear tufts probably serve for communication.
- Its name comes from the Turkish "karakulak", meaning black ear.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Caracal caracal (Least Concern)
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.