View source for Caracal

{{Short description|Medium-sized wild cat}}
{{About|the wild feline species}}
{{Good article}}
{{Pp-pc}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Caracal
| italic_title = no
| image = Caracal_on_the_road,_early_morning_in_Kgalagadi_(36173878220) (cropped).jpg
| image_caption = Caracal in [[Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park]]
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |title=''Caracal caracal'' |name-list-style=amp |author=Avgan, B. |author2=Henschel, P. |author3=Ghoddousi, A. |year=2016 |errata=2016 |article-number=e.T3847A102424310 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T3847A50650230.en |access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref>
| status2 = CITES_A1
| status2_system = CITES
| status2_ref = <ref name=iucn/>{{NoteTag|Only populations of Asia. All other populations are included in Appendix II.}}
| genus = Caracal
| species = caracal
| authority = ([[Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber|Schreber]], 1776)
| subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
| subdivision = See text
| range_map = Caracal Geographical Range.svg
| range_map_caption = Distribution of caracal, 2016<ref name=iucn/>
| synonyms = {{collapsible list|
*''C. bengalensis'' {{small|(J. B. Fischer, 1829)}}
*''C. melanotis'' {{small|[[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1843}}
*''C. melanotix'' {{small|Gray, 1843}}
*''C. berberorum'' {{small|Matschie, 1892}}
*''C. corylinus'' {{small|(Matschie, 1912)}}
*''C. medjerdae'' {{small|(Matschie, 1912)}}
*''C. aharonii'' {{small|([[Paul Matschie|Matschie]], 1912)}}
*''C. spatzi'' {{small|(Matschie, 1912)}}
*''C. roothi'' {{small|(Roberts, 1926)}}
*''C. coloniae'' {{small|[[Oldfield Thomas|Thomas]], 1926}}
*''C. michaelis'' {{small|Heptner, 1945}}
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=MSW3/>
}}
}}

The '''caracal''' ('''''Caracal caracal'''''; {{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ær|ə|k|æ|l}}) is a [[Felidae|wild cat]] native to [[Africa]], the [[Middle East]], [[Central Asia]], and arid areas of [[Pakistan]] and northwestern [[India]]. It is characterised by a robust build, long legs, a short face, long tufted ears, relatively short tail, and long [[canine teeth]]. Its coat is uniformly reddish tan or sandy, while the [[ventral]] parts are lighter with small reddish markings. It reaches {{cvt|40|-|50|cm}} at the shoulder and weighs {{cvt|8|-|19|kg}}. It was first [[scientific description|scientifically described]] by German naturalist [[Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber]] in 1776. Three [[subspecies]] are recognised.

Typically [[nocturnality|nocturnal]], the caracal is highly secretive and difficult to observe. It is [[territory (animal)|territorial]], and lives mainly alone or in pairs. The caracal is a [[carnivore]] that typically preys upon birds, [[rodent]]s, and other small [[mammal]]s. It can leap higher than {{cvt|3.0|m}} and catch birds in midair. It stalks its prey until it is within {{cvt|5|m}} of it, after which it runs it down and kills it with a bite to the throat or to the back of the neck. Both sexes become [[sexually mature]] by the time they are one year old and breed throughout the year. Gestation lasts between two and three months, resulting in a litter of one to six kittens. Juveniles leave their mothers at the age of nine to ten months, though a few females stay back with their mothers. The average lifespan of captive caracals is nearly 16 years.

== Etymology ==
The name 'caracal' was proposed by [[Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon|Georges Buffon]] in 1761 who referred to its [[Turkish language|Turkish]] name 'Karrah-kulak' or 'Kara-coulac', meaning 'black ear'.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Buffon |first1=G.-L. L. |year=1761 |chapter=Le Caracal |pages=262–267 |chapter-url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1067248h/f324.item |title=Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière, avec la description du Cabinet du Roi |publisher=L'Imprimerie Royale |location=Paris |volume=IX}}</ref> The caracal is also known as '''desert lynx''' and '''Persian lynx'''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Carnivores: Meat-eating Mammals |first1=J. P. |last1=Rafferty |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group |location=New York |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-61530-340-3 |page=117 |chapter=Caracals |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EMui7zVOqeUC&pg=PA117}}</ref> The 'lynx' of the Greeks and Romans was most probably the caracal, and the name 'lynx' is sometimes still applied to it, but the present-day [[lynx]] proper is a separate genus.<ref>{{cite book |contribution=[[s:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition/The Caracal|The Caracal]] |title=Encyclopædia Britannica |edition=9th |volume=V |editor-last=Baynes |editor-first=T. S. |publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons |location=New York |date=1878 |pages=80–81}}</ref>

== Taxonomy and phylogeny ==
''Felis caracal'' was the [[scientific name]] used by [[Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber]] in 1776 who [[Scientific description|described]] a caracal skin from the [[Cape of Good Hope]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schreber |first1=J. C. D. |chapter=Der Karakal |title=Die Säugethiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur mit Beschreibungen |date=1777 |pages=413–414 |location=Erlangen |publisher=Wolfgang Walther |chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/SaYugthiereAbbiIIISchr#page/413/mode/1up}}</ref> In 1843, [[John Edward Gray]] placed it in the genus ''Caracal''.<ref>{{cite book |author=Gray, J. E. |year=1843 |title=List of the specimens of Mammalia in the collection of the British Museum |location=London |publisher=The Trustees of the British Museum |page=46 |chapter=The Caracal |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/listofspecimenso00brit_0/page/150/mode/1up}}</ref> It is placed in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Felidae]] and [[subfamily]] [[Felinae]].<ref name=MSW3>{{MSW3 Carnivora |id=14000014 |page=533 |heading=Species ''Carcal caracal''}}</ref>

In the 19th and 20th centuries, several caracal [[zoological specimen|specimen]]s were described and proposed as [[subspecies]]. Since 2017, three subspecies have been recognised as [[Valid name (zoology)|valid]]:<ref name=catsg>{{cite journal |author1=Kitchener, A. C. |author2=Breitenmoser-Würsten, C. |author3=Eizirik, E. |author4=Gentry, A. |author5=Werdelin, L. |author6=Wilting, A. |author7=Yamaguchi, N. |author8=Abramov, A. V. |author9=Christiansen, P. |author10=Driscoll, C. |author11=Duckworth, J. W. |author12=Johnson, W. |author13=Luo, S.-J. |author14=Meijaard, E. |author15=O'Donoghue, P. |author16=Sanderson, J. |author17=Seymour, K. |author18=Bruford, M. |author19=Groves, C. |author20=Hoffmann, M. |author21=Nowell, K. |author22=Timmons, Z. |author23=Tobe, S. |name-list-style=amp |year=2017 |title=A revised taxonomy of the Felidae: The final report of the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group |journal=Cat News |issue=Special Issue 11 |pages=62−63 |url=https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/handle/10088/32616/A_revised_Felidae_Taxonomy_CatNews.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y}}</ref>
* Southern caracal (''C. c. caracal'') {{small|(Schreber, 1776)}} – occurs in [[Southern Africa|Southern]] and [[East Africa]]
* Northern caracal (''C. c. nubicus'') {{small|([[Johann Baptist Fischer|Fischer]], 1829)}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Fischer |first1=J. B. |year=1829 |title=Synopsis Mammalium |location=Stuttgart |publisher=J. G. Cottae |page=210 |chapter=''F. caracal'' Schreb. |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_no-AAAAcAAJ&pg=PA210}}</ref> – occurs in [[North Africa|North]] and [[West Africa]]
* Asiatic caracal (''C. c. schmitzi'') {{small|([[Paul Matschie|Matschie]], 1912)}}<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Matschie |first1=P. |year=1912 |title=Über einige Rassen des Steppenluchses ''Felis'' (''Caracal'') ''caracal'' (St. Müll.) |journal=Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin |volume=1912 |issue=2a |pages=55–67 |url=https://archive.org/details/sitzungsberichte1912gese/page/64}}</ref> – occurs in [[Asia]]

=== Phylogeny ===
Results of a [[phylogenetic]] study indicates that the caracal and the [[African golden cat]] (''Caracal aurata'') [[Genetic divergence|diverged]] between 2.93 and 1.19 million years ago. These two species together with the [[serval]] (''Leptailurus serval'') form the ''Caracal'' [[Lineage (evolution)|lineage]], which diverged between 11.56 and 6.66 million years ago.<ref name=Johnson2006>{{cite journal |last1=Johnson|first1=W. E. |last2=Eizirik |first2=E. |last3=Pecon-Slattery |first3=J. |last4=Murphy |first4=W. J. |last5=Antunes |first5=A. |last6=Teeling |first6=E. |last7=O'Brien |first7=S. J. |name-list-style=amp |title=The late Miocene radiation of modern Felidae: A genetic assessment |journal=Science |date= 2006 |volume=311 |issue= 5757|pages= 73–77 |doi=10.1126/science.1122277 |pmid=16400146 |bibcode=2006Sci...311...73J|s2cid=41672825 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1230866 }}</ref><ref name="werdelin">{{cite book |last1=Werdelin |first1=L. |last2=Yamaguchi |first2=N. |last3=Johnson |first3=W. E. |last4=O'Brien |first4=S. J. |name-list-style=amp |year=2010 |editor1-last=Macdonald |editor1-first=D. W. |editor2-last=Loveridge |editor2-first=A. J. |title=Biology and Conservation of Wild Felids |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford, UK |isbn=978-0-19-923445-5 |chapter=Phylogeny and evolution of cats (Felidae) |pages=59–82 |chapter-url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266755142}}</ref> The ancestor of this lineage arrived in Africa between 8.5 and 5.6 million years ago.<ref name=johnson>{{cite journal |pmid=9071018 |year=1997 |last1=Johnson|first1=W. E. |last2=O'Brien|first2=S. J. |name-list-style=amp |title=Phylogenetic reconstruction of the Felidae using 16S rRNA and NADH-5 mitochondrial genes |journal=Journal of Molecular Evolution |volume=44 |issue=Supplement 1 |pages=S98–S116 |doi=10.1007/PL00000060|bibcode=1997JMolE..44S..98J|s2cid=40185850 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1232587 }}</ref>

The relationship of the caracal is considered as follows:<ref name=Johnson2006/><ref name="werdelin"/>
{{clade|style=font-size:90%;line-height:75%;
|1={{clade
   |1={{clade
      |label1=''[[Pardofelis]]''
      |1=[[Marbled cat]] (''P. marmorata'')
      |label2=''[[Catopuma]]''
      |2={{clade
         |1=[[Bay cat]] (''C. badia'')
         |2=[[Asian golden cat]] (''C. temminckii'')
         }}
      }}
   |2=&nbsp; |state2=none |style2=font-size:50%;line-height:50%;
   |3={{clade
      |1={{clade
         |label1=Caracal |sublabel1=lineage
         |1={{clade
            |label1=''[[Leptailurus]]''
            |1=[[Serval]] (''L. serval'')
            |label2=''[[Caracal (genus)|Caracal]]''
            |2={{clade
               |1='''Caracal'''
               |2=[[African golden cat]] (''C. aurata'')
               }}
            }}
         |2={{clade
            |1=''[[Leopardus]]''
            |1x={{clade
               |1={{clade
                  |1=[[Ocelot]] (''L. pardalis'')
                  |2=[[Margay]] (''L. wiedii'')
               }}
               |2={{clade
                  |1={{clade
                     |1=[[Andean mountain cat]] (''L. jacobita'')
                     |2=[[Colocolo]] (''L. colocolo'')
                     }}
                  |2={{clade
                     |1={{clade
                        |1=[[Geoffroy's cat]] (''L. geoffroyi'')
                        |2=[[Kodkod]] (''L. guigna'')
                        }}
                     |2=[[Oncilla]] (''L. tigrinus'')
                     }}
                  }}
               }}
            |2={{clade
               |1=''[[Lynx]]''
               |2={{clade
                  |1={{clade
                     |1=''[[Acinonyx]]''
                     |2=''[[Puma (genus)|Puma]]''
                     }}
                  |2={{clade
                     |1={{clade
                        |1=''[[Otocolobus]]''
                        |2=''[[Prionailurus]]''
                        }}
                     |2=''[[Felis]]''
                     }}
                  }}
               }}
            }}
         }}
      }}
   }}}}

== Characteristics ==
[[File:Caracal001.jpg|thumbnail|A close facial view of a caracal, with the typical tufted ears and the black facial markings]]
The caracal is a slender, moderately sized cat characterised by a robust build, a short face, long [[canine teeth]], tufted ears, and long legs. It reaches nearly {{cvt|40|-|50|cm}} at the shoulder. The tan, bushy tail extends to the [[hock (anatomy)|hocks]].<ref name=nowak>{{cite book|last1=Nowak|first1=R. M.|title=Walker's Mammals of the World |pages=810–811 |chapter=Caracal |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/walkersmammalsof0001nowa/page/810 |date=1999 |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |location=Baltimore, Maryland, US |isbn=978-0-8018-5789-8 |edition=6th}}</ref><ref name=estes>{{cite book |last1=Estes |first1=R. D. |title=The Behavior Guide to African Mammals: Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates |date=2004|publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley, California, US|isbn=978-0520-080-850 |chapter=Caracal |pages=363–365 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_0520080858/page/363 |edition=4th}}</ref> The caracal is [[sexually dimorphic]]; the females are smaller than the males in most bodily parameters.<ref name=wcw>{{cite book |last1=Sunquist |first1=F. |last2=Sunquist |first2=M. |name-list-style=amp |title=Wild Cats of the World |date=2002 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |isbn=978-0-226-77999-7 |pages=38–43 |chapter=Caracal ''Caracal caracal'' |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/wildcatsofworld00sunq/page/38 |chapter-url-access=registration}}</ref>

The prominent facial features include the {{cvt|4.5|cm}} long black tufts on the ears, two black stripes from the forehead to the nose, the black outline of the mouth, the distinctive black facial markings, and the white patches surrounding the eyes and the mouth. The eyes appear to be narrowly open due to the lowered upper eyelid, probably an adaptation to shield the eyes from the sun's glare. The ear tufts may start drooping as the animal ages. The coat is uniformly reddish tan or sandy, though black caracals are also known. The underbelly and the insides of the legs are lighter, often with small reddish markings.<ref name=wcw/> The fur, soft, short, and dense, grows coarser in the summer. The [[ground hair]]s are denser in winter than in summer. The length of the [[guard hair]]s can be up to {{cvt|3|cm}} long in winter, but shorten to {{cvt|2|cm}} in summer.<ref name=kingdon>{{cite book |last1=Kingdon |first1=J. |year=1997 |title=The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing Plc |location=London, UK |isbn=978-1472-912-367 |pages=174–179 |edition=2nd}}</ref> These features indicate the onset of [[moulting]] in the hot season, typically in October and November.<ref name=skinner>{{cite book |last1=Skinner |first1=J. D. |last2=Chimimba |first2=C. T. |title=The Mammals of the Southern African Sub-region |date=2005 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge, UK|isbn=978-1107-340-992 |pages=397–400 |chapter=Caracal |edition=3rd |doi=10.1017/CBO9781107340992}}</ref> The hind legs are longer than the forelegs, so the body appears to be sloping downward from the [[rump (animal)|rump]].<ref name=estes/><ref name=wcw/>

Male caracals measure in head-to-body length {{cvt|78|-|108|cm}} and have {{cvt|21|-|34|cm}} long tails; 77 male caracals ranged in weight between {{cvt|7.2|and|19|kg}}. The head-to-body length of females is {{cvt|71|-|103|cm}} with a tail of {{cvt|18|-|31.5|cm}}; 63 females ranged in weight between {{cvt|7|and|15.9|kg}}.<ref name=Stuarts>{{cite book |author1=Stuart, C. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Stuart, T. |year=2013 |chapter=''Caracal caracal'' Caracal |editor1=Kingdon, J. |editor2=Hoffmann, M. |title=The Mammals of Africa |series=Vol. V. Carnivores, Pangolins, Equids and Rhinoceroses |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B_07noCPc4kC&pg=RA4-PA174 |pages=174–179 |publisher=Bloomsbury |location=London, UK |isbn=978-1-4081-8996-2}}</ref>

The caracal is often confused with a lynx, as both cats have tufted ears. However, a notable point of difference between the two is that ''Lynx'' species are spotted and blotched, while the caracal shows no such markings on the coat.<ref name=wcw/> The [[African golden cat]] has a similar build as the caracal's, but is darker and lacks the ear tufts. The [[sympatric]] serval can be distinguished from the caracal by the former's lack of ear tufts, white spots behind the ears, spotted coat, longer legs, longer tail, and smaller footprints.<ref name=kingdon/><ref name=spoor>{{cite book|last1=Liebenberg|first1=L. |title=A Field Guide to the Animal Tracks of Southern Africa |date=1990 |publisher=D. Philip|location=Cape Town, South Africa |isbn=978-0864-861-320 |chapter=''Felis caracal'' Caracal, Rooikat |pages=257–258 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Aco4wVvpdUC&pg=PA257}}</ref>

The skull of the caracal is high and rounded, featuring large [[auditory bulla]]e, a well-developed [[occipital bone|supraoccipital crest]] normal to the [[sagittal crest]], and a strong lower jaw. The caracal has a total of 30 teeth; the [[dental formula]] is {{DentalFormula|upper=3.1.3.1|lower=3.1.2.1}}. The [[deciduous dentition]] is {{DentalFormula|upper=3.1.2|lower=3.1.2}}. The canines are up to {{cvt|2|cm}} long and sharp. The caracal lacks the second upper [[premolar]]s, and the upper [[Molar (tooth)|molars]] are diminutive.<ref name=skinner/> The large paws have four [[Digit (anatomy)|digits]] in the hind legs and five in the fore legs.<ref name=heptner>{{cite book |last1=Heptner, V. G. |last2=Sludskij, A. A. |orig-date=1972 |year=1992 |title=Mlekopitajuščie Sovetskogo Soiuza. Moskva: Vysšaia Škola |trans-title=Mammals of the Soviet Union |volume=((II, Part 2. Carnivora (Hyaenas and Cats))) |publisher=Smithsonian Institution and the National Science Foundation |location=Washington DC |isbn=90-04-08876-8 |chapter=Caracal |pages=498–524 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/mammalsofsov221992gept#page/498/mode/2up}}</ref><ref name=kingdon/> The first digit of the fore leg remains above the ground and features the [[dewclaw]]. The sharp and retractile claws are larger but less curved in the hind legs.<ref name=kingdon/>

== Distribution and habitat ==
[[File:SanWild07a.jpg|thumb|Caracals inhabit dry areas with some cover.]]
In Africa, the caracal is widely distributed south of the [[Sahara]], but considered rare in North Africa. In Asia, it occurs from the [[Arabian Peninsula]], Middle East, [[Turkmenistan]], [[Uzbekistan]] to western India.<ref name=iucn/> It inhabits forests, [[savanna]]s, marshy lowlands, [[semidesert]]s, and [[scrub forest]]s, but prefers dry areas with low rainfall and availability of cover. In montane habitats such as in the [[Ethiopian Highlands]], it occurs up to an elevation of {{cvt|3000|m}}.<ref name=kingdon/>

In [[Ethiopia]]'s [[Degua Tembien]] massif, they can be seen along roads, sometimes as [[roadkill]]s.<ref name=Aerts2019>{{cite book |last1=Aerts |first1=R. |chapter=Forest and woodland vegetation in the highlands of Dogu'a Tembien |title=Geo-trekking in Ethiopia's Tropical Mountains. The Dogu'a Tembien District |date=2019 |editor1=Nyssen J. |editor2=Jacob, M. |editor3=Frankl, A. |publisher=Springer International Publishing |location=Switzerland |series=GeoGuide |isbn=978-3-030-04954-6 |url=https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030049546 |pages=261–277}}</ref>

In the [[Emirate of Abu Dhabi]], a male caracal was photographed by [[camera trap]]s in [[Jebel Hafeet]] National Park in [[Al Ain Region]], in spring 2019, the first such record since the mid-1980s.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Gubiani, R. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Zaabi, R.A. |author3=Chuven, J. |author4=Soorae, P. |year=2020 |title=Rediscovery of Caracal ''Caracal caracal'' (Schreber, 1776) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE |journal=Journal of Threatened Taxa |volume=12 |issue=16 |pages=17194–17202 |doi=10.11609/jott.5856.12.16.17194-17202 |doi-access=free}}</ref> In the [[Emirate of Fujairah]], a caracal was spotted in [[Wadi Wurayah]] in October 2025.<ref>{{cite web |work=Emirates Nature WWF, United Arab Emirates |title=World Habitat Day: Arabian Caracal rediscovered in UAE’s Wadi Wurayah National Park |url=https://www.emiratesnaturewwf.ae/en/press-release/42-world-habitat-day-arabian-caracal-rediscovered-in-uaes-wadi-wurayah-national-park |date=2025 |access-date=2025-11-08}}</ref>

In south-western [[Turkey]], caracals are present in a wildlife reserve in the provinces of [[Antalya Province|Antalya]] and [[Muğla Province|Muğla]] that is regularly used for recreational and agricultural activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/hayatim/yasam-haberleri/nesli-tukenme-tehlikesi-altindaki-karakulak-muglada-goruldu/|title=Nesli tükenme tehlikesi altındaki karakulak Muğla'da görüldü|website=sozcu.com.tr|publisher=[[Sözcü]]|date=22 January 2023}}</ref> However, they avoid humans and are active mostly at night.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Ünal, Y. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Pekin, B. K. |author3=Oğurlu, I. |author4=Süel, H. |author5=Koca, A. |year=2020 |title=Human, domestic animal, Caracal (''Caracal caracal''), and other wildlife species interactions in a Mediterranean forest landscape |journal=European Journal of Wildlife Research |volume=66 |issue=1 |page=5 |doi=10.1007/s10344-019-1343-x |bibcode=2020EJWR...66....5U |s2cid=209339807 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337930166}}</ref> In Uzbekistan, caracals were recorded only in the desert regions of the [[Ustyurt Plateau]] and [[Kyzylkum Desert]]. Between 2000 and 2017, 15 individuals were sighted alive, and at least 11 were killed by herders.<ref name=Gritsina2019>{{cite journal |last1=Gritsina |first1=M. |year=2019 |title=The Caracal ''Caracal caracal'' Schreber, 1776 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Uzbekistan |journal=Journal of Threatened Taxa |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=13470–13477 |doi=10.11609/jott.4375.11.4.13470-13477 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

In Iran, the caracal has been recorded in Abbasabad Naein Reserve, Bahram'gur Protected Area, [[Kavir National Park]] and in [[Yazd province]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Farhadinia |first1=M. S. |last2=Akbari |first2=H. |last3=Beheshti |first3=M. |last4=Sadeghi |first4=A. |name-list-style=amp |year=2007 |title=Ecology and status of the Caracal, ''Caracal caracal'', in Abbasabad Naein Reserve, Iran |journal=Zoology in the Middle East |volume=41 |issue=1 |pages=5–9 |doi=10.1080/09397140.2007.10638221|s2cid=84982794 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Farhadinia |first1=M. S. |last2=Akbari |first2=H. |last3=Beheshti |first3=M. |last4=Sadeghi |first4=A. |last5=Halvani |first5=M. R. |name-list-style=amp |year=2008 |title=Felids of the Abbasabad Naein Reserve, Iran |journal=Cat News |issue=48 |pages=14–16}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ghoddousi |first1=A. |last2=Ghadirian |first2=T. |last3=Fahimi |first3=H. |name-list-style=amp |year=2009 |title=Status of caracal in Bahram'gur Protected Area, Iran |journal=Cat News |issue=50 |pages=10–13 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281447280}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mousavi |first1=M. |year=2010 |title=Survey of ''Caracal caracal'' in Kavir National Park in Iran |journal=Journal of Environmental Research and Development |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=793–795}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Akbari |first1=H. |last2=Azizi |first2=M. |last3=Poor Chitsaz |first3=A. |last4=Nooranian |first4=S. R. |name-list-style=amp |year=2016 |title=Distribution, abundance and activity pattern of caracal (''Caracal caracal'') in Yazd, Iran |journal=Experimental Animal Biology |volume=15 |pages=71–78}}</ref>

In India, the caracal occurs in [[Sariska Tiger Reserve]] and [[Ranthambhore National Park]].<ref name=Mukherjee_al2004>{{cite journal |author1=Mukherjee, S. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Goyal, S.P. |author3=Johnsingh, A.J.T. |author4=Pitman, M.L. |year=2004 |title=The importance of rodents in the diet of jungle cat (''Felis chaus''), caracal (''Caracal caracal'') and golden jackal (''Canis aureus'') in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, India |journal=Journal of Zoology |volume=262 |issue=4 |pages=405–411 |doi=10.1017/S0952836903004783 |url=http://procarnivoros.org.br/pdfs/Shomita_JZool.pdf |access-date=29 March 2020 |archive-date=11 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811105043/http://procarnivoros.org.br/pdfs/Shomita_JZool.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Singh, R. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Qureshi, Q. |author3=Sankar, K. |author4=Krausman, P.R. |author5=Goyal, S.P. |year=2014 |title=Population and habitat characteristics of caracal in semi-arid landscape, western India |journal=Journal of Arid Environments |volume=103 |pages=92–95 |doi=10.1016/j.jaridenv.2014.01.004|bibcode=2014JArEn.103...92S}}</ref>
Its contemporary distribution is limited to [[Rajasthan]], [[Gujarat]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]].<ref name=Khandal_al2020>{{cite journal |author1=Khandal, D. |author2=Dhar, I. |name-list-style=amp |author3=Reddy, G.V. |year=2020 |title=Historical and current extent of occurrence of the Caracal ''Caracal caracal'' (Schreber, 1776) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in India |journal=Journal of Threatened Taxa |volume=12 |issue=16 |pages=17173–17193 |doi=10.11609/jott.6477.12.16.17173-17193 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The Indian population may be under 100.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.mongabay.com/2024/05/ridiculously-rare-photo-catches-asian-caracal-swimming-a-river-in-india/ |title=Ridiculously rare photo catches Asian caracal swimming a river in India |author=Hance, J. |work=Mongabay |date=2024 |access-date=20 May 2024}}</ref>

== Ecology and behaviour ==
[[File:20120219 Olmense Zoo (64).jpg|thumb|right|Caracals are efficient climbers.]]
The caracal is typically [[nocturnality|nocturnal]], though some activity may be observed during the day as well. However, the cat is so secretive and difficult to observe that its activity at daytime might easily go unnoticed.<ref name=skinner/> A study in South Africa showed that caracals are most active when the air temperature drops below {{cvt|20|C}}; activity typically ceases at higher temperatures.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Avenant|first1=N. L. |last2=Nel|first2=J. A. J. |name-list-style=amp|title=Home-range use, activity, and density of caracal in relation to prey density|journal=African Journal of Ecology|date=1998|volume=36|issue=4|pages=347–59|doi=10.1046/j.1365-2028.1998.00152.x|bibcode=1998AfJEc..36..347A }}</ref> A solitary cat, the caracal mainly occurs alone or in pairs; the only groups seen are of mothers with their offspring.<ref name=estes/> Females in [[oestrus]] temporarily pair with males. A territorial animal, the caracal [[Territorial marking|marks]] rocks and vegetation in its territory with urine and probably with dung, which is not covered with soil. Claw scratching is prominent, and dung middens are typically not formed.<ref name=kingdon/> In [[Israel]], males are found to have territories averaging {{cvt|220|sqkm}}, while that of females averaged {{cvt|57|sqkm}}. The male territories vary from {{cvt|270|-|1116|sqkm}} in Saudi Arabia. In [[Mountain Zebra National Park]], the [[home range]]s of females vary between {{cvt|4.0|and|6.5|sqkm}}. These territories overlap extensively.<ref name=wcw/> The conspicuous ear tufts and the facial markings often serve as a method of visual communication; caracals have been observed interacting with each other by moving the head from side to side so that the tufts flicker rapidly. Like other cats, the caracal meows, growls, hisses, spits, and purrs.<ref name=estes/>

=== Diet and hunting ===
[[File:Caracal_hunting_in_the_serengeti.jpg|thumb|A caracal hunting in the Serengeti]]
The caracal typically preys on small [[mammal]]s, which generally comprise at least 80% of its diet; and it also targets small [[Cercopithecidae]] monkeys and larger [[antelope]]s such as young [[kudu]], [[impala]], [[mountain gazelle]], [[dorcas gazelle]], [[Cape bushbuck]], [[gerenuk]], [[mountain reedbuck]], [[Sharpe's grysbok]] and [[springbok]].<ref name=kingdon/> The remaining percentage is made up of lizards, snakes and insects.<ref name=iucn/> [[Rodent]]s comprise a significant portion of its diet in western India.<ref name=Mukherjee_al2004/> It tends to focus on the most abundant prey species.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Avenant |first1=N. L. |last2=Nel |first2=J. A. J. |name-list-style=amp |title=Among habitat variation in prey availability and use by caracal ''Felis caracal'' |journal=Mammalian Biology – Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde |date=2002 |volume=67 |issue=1|pages=18–33 |doi=10.1078/1616-5047-00002 |bibcode=2002MamBi..67...18A}}</ref> Occasionally, it consumes grasses and grapes, which help to clear the immune system and stomach of any parasites.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bothma |first1=J. D. P. |title=Random observations on the food habits of certain Carnivora (Mammalia) in Southern Africa |journal=Fauna and Flora |date=1965 |volume=16 |pages=16–22}}</ref>

In South Africa, caracals prey on [[Cape grysbok]], [[common duiker]], [[bush vlei rat]]s, [[rock hyrax]] and [[Cape hare]].<ref name=stuart>{{cite journal |last1=Stuart |first1=C.T. |last2=Hickman |first2=G. C. |name-list-style=amp |title=Prey of caracal (''Felis caracal'') in two areas of Cape Province, South Africa |journal=Journal of African Zoology |date=1991 |volume=105 |issue=5 |pages=373–381}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Palmer |first1=R. |last2=Fairall |first2=N. |name-list-style=amp |title=Caracal and African wild cat diet in the Karoo National Park and the implications thereof for hyrax |journal=South African Journal of Wildlife Research |date=1988 |volume=18 |issue=1|pages=30–34 |url=http://reference.sabinet.co.za/webx/access/journal_archive/03794369/2279.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Grobler |first1=J. H. |title=Feeding behaviour of the caracal ''Felis caracal'' (Schreber 1776) in the Mountain Zebra National Park |journal=South African Journal of Zoology |date=1981 |volume=16|issue=4|pages=259–262 |doi=10.1080/02541858.1981.11447764 |doi-access=free}}</ref> In areas where sheep and goat are farmed, caracals have also been documented preying on small livestock, but this is only a small and seasonal portion of their diet when wild prey is scarce.<ref name=stuart/><ref name=Stuarts/> Caracals are estimated to have caused about 11% of [[African penguin]] mortality in [[Simon's Town]] breeding colony between January 1999 and September 2021.<ref>{{cite thesis |author=Rhoda, L. |year=2023 |title=The threat of terrestrial predators to mainland penguin colonies: searching for sustainable solutions |publisher=Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town |place=South Africa |type=Master of Science in Biological Sciences |url=https://open.uct.ac.za/bitstreams/df8905ef-a46d-4616-99c3-a1a4664b9bae/download}}</ref>

The caracals's speed and agility make it an efficient hunter, able to take down prey two to three times its size.<ref name=iucn/> The powerful hind legs allow it to leap more than {{cvt|3|m}} in the air to catch birds on the wing.<ref name=wcw/><ref>{{Cite journal |doi=10.1016/j.cbpa.2011.02.006 |pmid=21320626 |title=Fiber type and metabolic characteristics of lion (''Panthera leo''), caracal (''Caracal caracal'') and human skeletal muscle |journal=Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A |volume=159 |issue=2 |pages=125–133 |year=2011 |last1=Kohn |first1=T. A. |last2=Burroughs |first2=R. |last3=Hartman |first3=M. J. |last4=Noakes |first4=T. D. |name-list-style=amp |hdl=2263/19598 |hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref name=wcw2>{{cite book |last1=Sunquist |first1=F.|last2=Sunquist|first2=M. |name-list-style=amp |title=The Wild Cat Book: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Cats |date=2014 |publisher=The University of Chicago Press|location=Chicago |isbn=978-0226-780-269 |pages=87–91}}</ref> It can even twist and change its direction mid-air.<ref name=wcw/> It is an adroit climber.<ref name=wcw/> It stalks its prey until it is within {{cvt|5|m}}, following which it can launch into a sprint. While large prey such as antelopes are suffocated by a throat bite, smaller prey are killed by a bite on the back of the neck.<ref name=wcw/> Kills are consumed immediately, and less commonly dragged to cover. It returns to large kills if undisturbed.<ref name=kingdon/> It has been observed to begin feeding on antelope kills at the hind parts.<ref name=skinner/> It may [[scavenge]] at times, though this has not been frequently observed.<ref name=stuart/>

=== Reproduction ===
[[File:Caracal female and kitten playing.jpg|thumb|Caracal mother and kitten]]
Both sexes become [[sexually mature]] by the time they are a year old; production of [[gamete]]s begins even earlier at seven to ten months. However, successful mating takes place only at 12 to 15 months. Breeding takes place throughout the year. Oestrus, one to three days long, recurs every two weeks unless the female is pregnant. Females in oestrus show a spike in urine-marking, and form temporary pairs with males. Mating has not been extensively studied; a limited number of observations suggest that [[copulation (zoology)|copulation]], lasting nearly four minutes on an average, begins with the male smelling the areas urine-marked by the female, which then rolls on the ground. He then approaches and mounts her. The pair separate after copulation.<ref name=wcw/><ref name=kingdon/>

[[Gestation]] lasts about two to three months, following which a litter consisting of one to six kittens is born. Births generally peak from October to February. Births take place in dense vegetation or deserted burrows of [[aardvark]]s and [[porcupine]]s. Kittens are born with their eyes and ears shut and the claws not retractable (unable to be drawn inside); the coat resembles that of adults, but the abdomen is spotted. Eyes open by ten days, but it takes longer for the vision to become normal. The ears become erect and the claws become retractable by the third or the fourth week. Around the same time, the kittens start roaming their birthplace, and start playing among themselves by the fifth or the sixth week. They begin taking solid food around the same time; they have to wait for nearly three months before they make their first kill. As the kittens start moving about by themselves, the mother starts shifting them every day. All the [[milk teeth]] appear in 50 days, and [[permanent dentition]] is completed in 10 months. Juveniles begin dispersing at nine to ten months, though a few females stay back with their mothers. The average lifespan of the caracal in captivity is nearly 16 years.<ref name=wcw/><ref name=heptner/><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bernard|first1=R. T. F.|last2=Stuart|first2=C. T. |name-list-style=amp |title=Reproduction of the caracal ''Felis caracal'' from the Cape Province of South Africa|journal=South African Journal of Zoology|date=1986|volume=22|issue=3|pages=177–182 |doi=10.1080/02541858.1987.11448043 |url=https://www.stuartonnature.com/resources/Scientific_papers/Reproduction%20of%20F%20caracal%20from%20Cape%20Pr.PDF|doi-access=free}}</ref>

In the 1990s, a captive caracal spontaneously mated with a domestic [[cat]] in the [[Moscow Zoo]], resulting in a [[felid hybrid]] offspring.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kusminych |first1=I. |last2=Pawlowa |first2=A. |name-list-style=amp |year=1998 |title=Ein Bastard von Karakal und Hauskatze im Moskauer Zoo |journal=Der Zoologische Garten |volume=68 |issue=4 |pages=259–260 }}</ref>

== Threats ==
The caracal is listed as [[Least Concern]] on the [[IUCN Red List]] since 2002, as it is widely distributed in over 50 range countries, where the threats to caracal populations vary in extent. [[Habitat loss]] due to [[agricultural expansion]], the building of roads and settlements is a major threat in all range countries. It is thought to be close to extinction in North Africa, critically endangered in Pakistan, endangered in Jordan, but stable in central and Southern Africa. Local people kill caracal to protect livestock, or in retaliation for its preying on small livestock. Additionally, it is threatened by hunting for the [[pet trade]] on the Arabian Peninsula. In Turkey and Iran, caracals are frequently killed in road accidents.<ref name=iucn/>
In Uzbekistan, the major threat to caracal is killing by herders in retaliation for livestock losses. Guarding techniques and sheds are inadequate to protect small livestock like goats and sheep from being attacked by predators. Additionally, similarly to Ethiopia, heavy-traffic roads crossing caracal habitat pose a potential threat for the species.<ref name=Gritsina2019/>

== Conservation ==
[[File:Lightmatter caracal.jpg|thumb|A caracal in the [[San Diego Zoo]]]]
African caracal populations are listed under [[CITES Appendix II]], while Asian populations come under [[CITES Appendix I]]. Hunting of caracal is prohibited in Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Caracals occur in a number of protected areas across their range.<ref name=iucn/>

In South Africa, the caracal is considered Least Concern, as it is widespread and adaptable to a variety of habitats. It is tolerant to human-dominated areas, although it has been persecuted for many decades. Farmers are encouraged to report sightings of caracals, both dead and alive, and livestock killed by caracals to the national Predation Management Information Centre.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Avenant, N. |author2=Drouilly, M. |author3=Power, R. |author4=Thorn, M. |author5=Martins, Q. |author6=Neils, A. |author7=Plessis, J. |author8=Do Linh San, E. |name-list-style=amp |chapter=A conservation assessment of ''Caracal caracal'' |date=2016 |pages=1–13 |title=The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland |publisher= South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust |location=South Africa |editor1=Child, M. F. |editor2=Roxburgh, L. |editor3=Do Linh San, E. |editor4=Raimondo, D. |editor5=Davies-Mostert, H. T. |chapter-url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319471914}}</ref>

The Central Asian caracal population is listed as [[Critically Endangered]] in Uzbekistan since 2009, and in Kazakhstan since 2010.<ref name=Gritsina2019/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Abdunazarov |first1=B. B. |year=2009 |chapter=Turkmenskiy karakal ''Caracal caracal'' (Schreber, 1776) ssp. ''michaelis'' (Heptner, 1945) [Turkmen Caracal ''Caracal caracal'' (Schreber, 1776) ssp. ''michaelis'' (Heptner, 1945)] |title=Krasnaya kniga Respubliki Uzbekistan. Chast' II Zhivotnye  |trans-title=The Red Data Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Part II, Animals |location=Tashkent |publisher=Chinor ENK |pages=192–193}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Bekenov |first1=A. B. |last2=Kasabekov |first2=B. B. |name-list-style=amp |year=2010 |title=Krasnaya kniga Respubliki Kazakhstan. Tom 1, Zhivotnye. Chast' 1 Pozvonochnye |trans-title=The Red Data Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Vol. 1, Animals. Part 1, Vertebrates |location=Almaty |publisher=Ministerstvo obrazovaniya i nauki Respubliki Kazakhstan [Ministry for Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan] |pages=256–257 |chapter=Karakal ''Lynx caracal'' Schreber, 1776}}</ref>

== In culture ==
[[File:Hunting cheetah Rajasthan.jpg|thumb|A cheetah and a caracal kept for coursing by Rajasthani royalty, c. 1890<ref>{{cite book |author=Boeck, K. |year=1900 |title=Indische Wunderwelt. Reisen und Erlebnisse in Britisch-Indien und auf Ceylon |trans-title=Indian wonder world. Travels and experiences in British India and Ceylon |location=Leipzig |publisher=H. Hässel}}</ref>]]

The caracal appears to have been religiously significant in the [[ancient Egypt]]ian culture, as it occurs in paintings and as bronze figurines; sculptures are thought to have guarded the tombs of [[pharaoh]]s.<ref>{{cite book|last=Malek |first=J. |year=1997 |title=The cat in ancient Egypt |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |location=Pennsylvania |edition=Revised}}</ref> Embalmed caracals have also been discovered.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Faure |first1=E.|last2=Kitchener|first2=A. C. |name-list-style=amp |year=2009 |title=An archaeological and historical review of the relationships between felids and people |journal=Anthrozoös |volume=22 |issue=3 |pages=221–238 |doi=10.2752/175303709X457577|s2cid=84308532}}</ref>

The caracal was esteemed for its ability to catch birds in flight and was used for [[coursing]] by [[Mughal emperors]] in India at least since the [[Delhi Sultanate]].<ref name=Khandal_al2020/> Chinese emperors used caracals as gifts. In the 13th and the 14th centuries, [[Yuan dynasty]] rulers bought numerous caracals, [[cheetah]]s (''Acinonyx jubatus'') and [[tiger]]s (''Panthera tigris'') from Muslim merchants in the western parts of the empire in return for gold, silver, [[copper cash]] and silk. According to the ''[[Ming Shilu]]'', the subsequent [[Ming dynasty]] continued this practice. Until the 20th century, the caracal was used in hunts of Indian rulers to hunt small game, while the cheetah was used for larger game.<ref name=mair>{{cite book|last1=Mair |first1=V. H. |title=Contact and exchange in the ancient world |year=2006 |publisher=University of Hawaiʻi Press |location=Hawaiʻi, Honolulu |isbn=978-0-8248-2884-4 |pages=116–123}}</ref> In those times, caracals were used to hunt [[bustard]]s, [[francolin]]s, and other [[game bird]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Masseti |first=M. |date=2009 |title=Pictorial evidence from medieval Italy of cheetahs and caracals, and their use in hunting |journal=Archives of Natural History |volume=36 |issue=1|pages=37–47 |doi=10.3366/E0260954108000600}}</ref> They were also placed in arenas with flocks of pigeons and people would bet on which caracal would kill the largest number of pigeons. This probably gave rise to the expression "to put the cat among the pigeons".<ref name="wcw2" /> Its [[pelt]] was used for making fur coats.<ref name=heptner/>

== See also ==
* {{Portal inline|Cats}}
* {{Portal inline|Biology}}

==Notes==
{{NoteFoot}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wiktionary|caracal|Caracal}}
* {{Cite web |publisher=IUCN Cat Specialist Group |title=Caracal |url=http://www.catsg.org/index.php?id=111 |access-date=7 April 2015 |archive-date=11 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911151831/http://www.catsg.org/index.php?id=111 |url-status=dead }}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20161016020102/http://conservationcatalyst.com/the-caracal-project Caracal Project]}}
* [https://www.catsforafrica.co.za/caracal-caracal-caracal/caracal-distribution/ Cats for Africa: Caracal Distribution]
* {{cite news |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |title=Arabian caracal spotted for first time in Abu Dhabi in 35 years |url=https://www.thenational.ae/uae/environment/arabian-caracal-spotted-for-first-time-in-abu-dhabi-in-35-years-1.829133 |date=24 February 2019 |orig-date=23 February 2019 |access-date=2019-02-23}}

{{Carnivora|Fe.}}
{{Feliformia|Fel.|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q30847}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Caracal (genus)]]
[[Category:Desert fauna]]
[[Category:Fauna of Egypt]]
[[Category:Fauna of Jordan]]
[[Category:Felids of Africa]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1776]]
[[Category:Mammals of Africa]]
[[Category:Mammals of Asia]]
[[Category:Mammals of India]]
[[Category:Mammals of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Mammals of the Arabian Peninsula]]
[[Category:Mammals of the Middle East]]
[[Category:Mammals of Turkey]]
[[Category:Mammals of West Asia]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber]]