If driven into a corner the Caracal will defend itself aggressively. Although it has very long legs, the Caracal does not actively pursue its prey but stalks and springs like a domestic cat. It feeds on rodents, small antelope, hares and birds and sometimes eats sheep and goats. It is mainly active in the morning and evening although during the hottest months hunts at night. The Caracal can survive for long periods without drinking as most of the moisture it needs comes from the tissue fluids of its prey.
Pregnant females make dens in abandoned porcupine burrows, rocky crevices or dense vegetation.
The young are born with grey fur and reddish spots on the belly. They open their eyes at around 10 days and are weaned by 10-25 weeks. Caracals were once used in India and Asia to hunt antelopes, hares, foxes and birds. They are now persecuted for killing poultry and in many parts of India and the Middle East they have now disappeared. They are fed mainly on rabbit which they are given once a week.