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Caracal can hunt venomous snakes and leap into the air to catch flying birds.
photo: Don Cohen
Characteristics: This predatory lynx inhabits open areas such as savannas, semi-deserts and plains in sub-Saharan Africa.
Their home range can be large or small depending upon food availability.
Caracals are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular cats that depend upon their well-developed sight and hearing to hunt prey. While males are typically larger than females, caracals typically weigh 17-40lbs.
Diet: This predatory cat eats large and small mammals, birds and reptiles. They can hunt venomous snakes and leap into the air to catch flying birds. Occasionally they take domestic livestock.
Reproduction: Caracals become sexually mature at about two years of age. A litter of 6-8 cubs is born in a well-concealed den. Cubs begin to leave the den at 3 weeks and eat solid food at about 4 weeks. They continue to suckle until about 6 months of age.
Environmental Connections: The greatest threats to Caracal populations are poaching and habitat destruction. Caracals need a variety of prey species to survive. The loss of prey animals leads to a decreased food supply. In some countries they are considered problem animals and are hunted to protect livestock.
Caracals are hunted as trophy animals and for their skin. They are sold as “luxury bushmeat” in Central and West Africa for human consumption. A growing urban population threatens to increase the market for bushmeat.
Protecting Caracals means protecting and preserving the habitats in which they live. No ecosystem stands alone so it is important that we work to protect ecosystems on a global level.
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N.C. Zoo is a member institution of AZA and an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr. Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor. A part of the North Carolina Government portal.
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