What kind of animal is the caracal? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. This cat is distributed widely from the Arabian Peninsula to Africa, and many people keep it as a pet. It is an animal with very high physical abilities, so it can be said to be quite an excellent animal.
What is Caracal? Basic Stats
Caracal is a carnivorous animal classified in the Felidae family of the Carnivora order. Its English name is Caracal, and its scientific name is Caracal caracal. Its body length is 60-90cm, its weight is 8-20kg, and its tail length is 20-30cm. The list of information is as follows. You can see many photos and images on the Internet.
| Japanese（和名） | カラカル |
| English（英名） | Caracal |
| scientific name(学名) | Caracal caracal |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Carnivora、 Felidae、Caracal 哺乳綱、食肉目、ネコ科、カラカル属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 60～90cm |
| Weight（体重） | ８～20kg |
Caracal Taxonomy
| 階級 | 分類 |
|---|---|
| 界 (Kingdom) | 動物界 (Animalia) |
| 門 (Phylum) | 脊索動物門 (Chordata) |
| 亜門 (Subphylum) | 脊椎動物亜門 (Vertebrata) |
| 綱 (Class) | 哺乳綱 (Mammalia) |
| 目 (Order) | 食肉目 (Carnivora) |
| 亜目 (Suborder) | ネコ亜目 (Feliformia) |
| 科 (Family) | ネコ科 (Felidae) |
| 属 (Genus) | カラカル属 (Caracal) |
| 種 (Species) | カラカル (Caracal caracal) |
Habitat
Caracals are found in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, southern Turkey, the Arabian Peninsula, and also in the Sahara Desert and the Congo Basin.
- Geographic Distribution
African Continent
Widely distributed from North Africa to South Africa
Especially in sub-Saharan arid regions, savannas, and shrublands
Middle East
Arab Peninsula, Israel, Iran, etc.
Southwest Asia
Also found in western India and western Pakistan
- Preferred Environment
Dry grasslands and savannas
Open areas where they can easily prey on small mammals and birds
Semi-desert areas
Prefers dry areas with shrubs and rocky areas where they can hide
Woodlands and shrublands
Uses bushes and shady areas for feeding and resting
- Nests and Hiding Places
Uses rocks, shrubs, and sometimes abandoned houses and caves
Hides and rests during the day and is usually active at night or in the evening
- Habitat Characteristics
More common in dry, open areas than near water sources
Susceptible to human influence, populations may decline in agricultural areas and urban areas
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
Caracals are white from under their chin to their chest and abdomen, and the outside of their ears are black with black tufts at the tips. Their fur is short and yellowish gray or reddish brown, with black rings around their eyes and nose. Caracals can be widely seen in forests, savannas, and brush. They are mainly nocturnal animals, and often rest in bushes or on trees during the day.
- Body Size and Weight
Body Length: Approximately 40-50 cm (shoulder height is roughly the same)
Tail Length: Approximately 25-35 cm
Weight: Approximately 8-19 kg (males are slightly larger)
A medium-sized cat with an agile, muscular body.
- Appearance
Coat Color: Reddish-brown to tan, with a whitish underside.
Face: Characterized by sharp, small eyes and long tufts of black hair at the tips of their ears.
Ear hair (black tufts at the tips of their ears) is used for vigilance and communication.
Their long tail is ideal for balance.
- Personality and Behavior
Generally prefers solitary behavior.
Mostly nocturnal, although some diurnal individuals are found in some areas.
Strongly territorial, they do not invade other individuals’ territory.
Highly agile hunter with excellent jumping and explosive power.
- Diet
Small mammals (rabbits, squirrels, rodents, etc.)
Can also leap and catch birds
Also eats reptiles and insects
Uses its high motor skills and sensitive ears to capture prey
What is their personality like?
Caracals are typical felines and mainly act alone. Therefore, like house cats, they are carefree and do things at their own pace. Caracals are aggressive and may attack livestock and poultry, so care must be taken when handling them.
- Extremely Independent
Generally Solitary
They have territories and will drive away intruders with intimidation or attack.
They are not very social and rarely live in groups.
- Vigilance and Cautious
They are extremely wary of humans and predators.
They hide in bushes or behind rocks, checking their surroundings before taking action.
In the wild, they constantly monitor prey and predators using sound, sight, and smell.
- Active and Agile
They have high explosive power, jumping ability, and running ability, and are specialized for hunting.
They operate agilely over a wide area, including on the ground, rather than in trees.
They combine caution and aggression to capture prey.
- Intelligence and Learning Ability
They can learn observational skills and hunting strategies.
They have the flexibility to adapt their behavior to changes in the environment and the movements of prey.
- Strongly Territorial
One of the reasons they live alone is to secure food and nests.
They dislike other individuals approaching and claim their territory through marking and vocalizations.
What is their ecology?
Caracals are carnivorous, living off birds, small antelopes, rodents, hares, hyraxes, and reptiles. There is no set breeding season, and the gestation period is 68-81 days. They use burrows abandoned by other animals, and can give birth to 1-6 pups. They start eating solid food at 1 month old, and become independent at 9-10 months old. They have a lifespan of about 20 years.
- Habitat
Mainly lives in dry grasslands, savannas, shrubs, and semi-desert areas.
Uses rock shelters and shrubs as hiding places.
Often searches for prey while moving across open areas.
- Activity Pattern
Primarily nocturnal (active in the evening and at night).
Rests in bushes or rock shelters during the day.
In areas with human activity, some individuals are active during the day.
- Diet and Hunting Method
Main diet: Small mammals (rabbits, rodents), birds.
Side diet: Reptiles and insects.
Hunting Techniques:
Capable of capturing birds in the air using their jumping ability and agility.
Using sound and vision to ambush prey.
- Territoriality and Solitary Lifestyle
Primarily solitary, they maintain their own territories.
Secure food and burrows within their territories.
Only interact with other individuals during breeding season or incidentally.
- Breeding and Rearing
Breeding Season: Varies by region, but usually occurs around the rainy season.
Gestation Period: Approximately 2-3 months
Litter Size: 1-4 pups
Raising is primarily the mother’s responsibility.
Raises pups in burrows or thickets.
Fathers are usually uninvolved.
- Survival Strategies
Solitary and territorial, securing food and avoiding competition.
Hidden in rocks or thickets to protect from predators and humans.
They do not store food, but their agile hunting ability allows them to cope with predation.
Do they have any natural enemies?
Caracals’ predators include lions, leopards, and hyenas.
About Caracal Babies
This section provides a detailed overview of caracal (Caracal caracal) cubs.
- Birth and Body Size
Gestation Period: Approximately 2-3 months
Litter Size: 1-4 pups per litter
Birth Weight: Approximately 200-250 g
Body Length: Approximately 20-25 cm
Fur color is gray or light brown immediately after birth, sometimes with spotted patterns.
- Development and Growth
Eyes open 1-2 weeks after birth.
Fur becomes fluffy 3-4 weeks after birth, and ear tufts gradually grow.
Weaning: Around 2-3 months of age, cubs begin to eat foods other than breast milk.
Cubs follow their mothers and learn hunting and hiding techniques.
- Relationship with Parents
Mothers are primarily responsible for raising their young.
Nursing and nest protection.
Fathers are typically not involved in raising their young.
Cubs learn and stay safe near their mothers.
- Behavior
At first, they spend a lot of time in the den.
Gradually, they learn to hide and move around under branches and rocks.
From an early age, they learn by observing their mother’s hunting behavior.
They play with other siblings, developing their motor skills and social skills.
- Risk and Survival Rate
They are vulnerable to predators (owls, hyenas, snakes, etc.).
Their survival rate decreases if their mother is not nearby.
Learning hunting skills and hiding techniques as a young animal is key to their survival.
Is the caracal an endangered species?
The caracal is classified as least concern, and is not endangered. It is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction, but is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and international trade is restricted.
- IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Assessment
Status: Least Concern (LC)
Reason:
Range: Widespread across Africa, the Middle East, and western India
Populations are estimated to be relatively stable
- Threats
Deforestation and land development
Localized habitat loss due to the loss of savanna and shrubland
Conflicts with farmland and livestock
May attack livestock, making them a target for extermination by farmers
Poaching
May also be targeted for fur and illegal trade
Climate change
Changes in water sources and vegetation may result in a decline in habitat quality
- Conservation Status
Due to its widespread range, the species is currently at low risk of extinction
Localized population declines exist
Relatively stable habitat within nature reserves and national parks
Can you keep a caracal as a pet?
Caracals have a tendency to attack livestock, so they are not really suitable for the general public. You can see a lot of them at the zoo. Enjoy watching them.
- In theory, they can be kept as pets, but…
As a medium-sized cat, they are large, powerful, and possess strong wild instincts.
Captive personality:
Independent and territorial, they are difficult to tame.
They have high jumping ability and agility, and may escape through furniture or windows.
They have a strong predatory instinct, so they may attack small animals or pets.
- Required environment
Large cage and exercise space
They need space to jump and run.
A tree-climbing structure is also desirable.
Temperature and environment
They are adapted to arid regions and savannas, so extremely humid environments are unsuitable.
Diet
They are highly carnivorous, so they require raw meat and special food.
Mismanagement of their diet can lead to malnutrition and health problems.
- Legal restrictions
In many countries, capturing and keeping wild individuals is prohibited or strictly regulated.
In Japan, they are designated as a designated or rare animal, and prefectural permission is required to keep them.
Keeping them without permission is a violation of the law.
コメント