Where does the caracal live?
The caracal lives in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and the arid areas of Pakistan and north-western India. In Africa it is widely distributed south of the Sahara, but considered rare in North Africa. It inhabits forests, savannas, marshy lowlands, semideserts and scrub forests, but prefers dry areas with low rainfall and available cover. In the Ethiopian Highlands it occurs up to 3,000 m.
What does the caracal eat?
The caracal mostly preys on birds, rodents and other small mammals. It can leap higher than 3 m and catch birds in mid-air. It stalks its prey until it is close, then attacks. It is typically nocturnal, highly secretive and difficult to observe. It is territorial, and lives mainly alone or in pairs. It is recognisable by its long ears with tufts of black hair.
Is the caracal endangered?
It has been listed as Least Concern by the IUCN since 2008, because it is fairly common, especially in southern and eastern Africa. But it is considered threatened in North Africa and rare in Central Asia and India.
