Caracal

## About

A caracal.

The caracal ***(Caracal caracal)*** also known as the Persian lynx, is a species of wild cat endemic to Afro-Asia. Caracals possess reddish-brown tawny fur that transitions to a lighter shade on the underbelly. Caracal individuals vary in colouration, particularly between sexes, where males exhibit a darker coat comparatively to females. The legs and underside of the caracal bear small spots which are quite faint and visibly discrete. White fur also frames the species' eyes, muzzle and the inner ears. The face also includes small darker brown accents around the muzzle, nose and above the eyes. Though the caracal has a similar short-muzzled facial structure similar to other cats, their ears are unique among African felid species, as they are adorned with apparent wispy black tufts, reminiscent to lynx ***(Lynx)*** species, which has earnt the caracal the alternate name, Persian lynx. Caracals have green, bronze, gold or brown irises however, juvenile individuals typically have blue tinted irises. Though they are classed as 'small' wild cats, caracal individuals can measure up to 80-125cm (30.5-49.21in), which is significantly larger than the average domestic cat ***(Felis catus)***. Average caracal weight depends on the sex, with females weighing 13kg (28.66lbs) or less, whilst males can average 20kg (44.09lbs).

## Diet

The caracal is a carnivorous species, as are all other cats. In particular, caracals specialise in the hunting of various small species. They have a diverse pallet and are known to consume rock hyrax ***(Procavia capensis)***, other rodents, small antelopes such as gerenuk ***(Litocranius walleri)*** and Sharpe's grysbok ***(Raphicerus sharpei)*** and even small Old World monkey species. Above all, caracals are famous for hunting terrestrial birds such as guinea fowl. As the caracal inhabits a multi-continental range, subpopulations which inhabit Asia, in areas such as Iran, India and Central Asia, may be more inclined to eat smaller species comparatively to African subpopulations. Caracals use a combination of acute hearing and precise eyesight to locate and hunt their prey respectively.

## Conservation Status

though the caracal is as of currently listed as least concern by the IUCN, the species still faces a multitude of threats in its range. As caracals appear in human proximity, they often hunt livestock, which leads to retaliation by agriculturalists. Between the years of 1931-1954, an average of 2,219 caracal individuals were culled annually as a result of control operations in Karoo, South Africa. In a similar vein, farmers of Namibia recounted in a government survey that they killed up to 2,800 individuals in 1981. Though extreme and irresponsible, the culling of caracals was not unwarranted at the time, as data from the former Cape province of South Africa alone suggests that the species was responsible for the loss of up to 5.3 livestock per 100 km² (38.6mi²) per annum. In much of its Asian range including India, Afghanistan and the Arabian Peninsular, the caracal is most threatened by human encroachment of habitat and habitat degradation. The loss of habitat can be accustomed to the continued agricultural growth in these areas, which begin to destroy valuable caracal habitat. In other Asian countries separate threats are apparent. In Iran, the caracal is often threatened by herding dogs in rural areas, as well as road killings, due to their close proximity to human settlements. In some Turkish regions, the caracal is thought to be a pest and a threat to livestock and so it is often persecuted and in areas surrounding Termessos National Park, Türkiye, caracals are presumed to be killed frequently by oncoming traffic. The most enigmatic threat of the caracal is apparent through the subpopulation of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). In this country caracals are sometimes wild-caught for the exotic pet-trade however, the magnitude of this threat is unknown. Recent conservation actions have seen much of its Asian and North African population be protected by law in the following countries; Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Despite protection, in North Africa the species is still disappearing. In sub-Saharan Africa the species is also protected in around half of the countries in the region however, hunting still remains a problem in South Africa and Namibia, as the species is listed as 'problem animal', warranting its killings in defense of livestock.

## Range and Population

Caracals have a widespread range and occur commonly throughout Africa as well as west, central and south Asia. It is thought that -similarly to the cheetah ***(Acinonyx jubatus)***- the caracal's range coincides with small desert ungulate species. Caracals appear specifically throughout arid regions such as grasslands, deserts, savannas and shrub/scrublands. In Africa, the species range ceases around the Equatorial forest belt of central and western Africa, as it favours drier habitats. Caracals are also known to enjoy areas of mountainous terrain, specifically in Ethiopia, the species can be found at elevations of 3,000m (10,000ft), atop high cliffs and rocky outcrops. Throughout Asia, the caracal is found less frequently in drastically arid habitats -unlike African caracals- and in more abundant in deciduous forests. The exact population of the caracal is unquantified however, the Asiatic subpopulations are likely more threatened than the African subpopulations, due to increased threats.

## Behaviour

Caracals are predominantly nocturnal and completely solitary, aside from the mating season and mother-offspring groups. Though the caracal is most known for hunting at night, individuals may be more inclined to hunt in daylight if in less-populated or undisturbed regions. Though mostly terrestrial, caracals are skilled climbers, often scaling trees and steep Ethiopian cliffsides. They are also quite intimidating and territorial animals and a single caracal is typically able to deter a predator twice its own size. Both sexes demonstrate territorial behaviour. Sexual maturity is reached at 7-10 months however, earliest copulation occurs around 14-15 months. A number of Biologists believe that sexual maturity being reached could also be signified when a caracal reaches (6-7kg 13.2-15.4lbs). During courtship before mating season, a female's urine markings will attract males using a chemical odour, created as a result of hormonal changes, however, a "cough-like" mating call has also been recorded. If multiple males are interested in the same individual, they will fight for mating rights. The female likely is able to chose her mate, as they have been known to favour larger and more mature males. After selecting a mate, the female will accompany the male for up to four days, where copulation occurs frequently. A female may also copulate with multiple individuals throughout the course of a week. Copulation may last up to 5 minutes on average. Gestation last between 68-81 days, where afterwards up to 6 kits are born. This number is lower in the wild due to various predatory factors. In order to give birth, the female will inhabit a tree cavity, cave or abandoned burrow, awaiting delivery. She and her offspring will stay here for the next 4 weeks. After a month, the kits will begin to move with their mother, as well as play and wean. Nursing continues until 15 weeks and kits will become independent at 5-6 months. The amount of time a caracal must spend with her young dictates her inability to raise more than one litter annually. Infanticide has been reported by male caracals, which may lead to a period of ovulation for females undergoing a time of temporary infertility following lactation, known as lactational amenorrhea. A female caracal experiences estrous for 3-6 days however, the period may last double this time frame. A hypothesis commonly used to explain the caracal's oddly timed breeding habits, is that a female will experience peak estrous when her nutrition is at its best (which may vary depending on range). This would explain why peak births occur during October-February, which coincides with Africa's wet season. Whilst communicating, the caracal will use a series of meowing, grunting, chirping, tweeting and hissing however, between pairs, tactile communication like huddling and sparring. The most eye-catching feature of the caracal are its tufted ears, of which the exact purpose is unknown however, they likely play a role in communication. Some zookeepers have speculated that the tufts are used as a form of intraspecies communication, in this case, likely visible communication between individuals.

### Relationship with Humans

As caracals are known to prey on livestock, they often come in contact with agriculturalists, which has led to human-wildlife conflict. Caracals have also recently become more inclined to inhabit urban areas as their range shrinks, which increases levels of casualties and culling. Due to the pet trade, caracals have also become popular exotic pets. Though the species may appear similar to a housecat, it is discouraged to keep them as pets, as they are aggressive wild animals, that live a specialised lifestyle. Despite this, it is still legal for a licensed member of the public to own a caracal in Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and South Dakota, for prices ranging from $1,500-$20,000USD.

## In Captivity

Other than the species' role as a seldom-kept exotic pet, the caracal is also housed at various zoos worldwide. The most notable of which include the Beijing Zoo, China, Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark, Moscow Zoo, Russia, Dresden Zoo, Germany and the San Diego and Nashville Zoos in the USA.

## Sources

* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/3847/102424310
* Caracal | Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Caracal\_caracal/
* Caracal Lynx | ZOOINSTITUTES - https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/caracal-lynx-340/
* Caracal | Zoo Borns - https://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/caracal/
* Caracal | Pet Place - https://www.petplace.com/article/cats/pet-care/caracals-as-pets/