Caracal caracal
The caracal is found throughout Africa, and in Asia from Turkey through Arabia to northwestern India. It is capable to take down and kill prey over twice its body weight, although usually feeds on rodents, birds, reptiles and other small mammals. Hunting often at night, the caracal depends on stealth to catch prey. It is agile enough to jump and catch flying birds. Caracals live between 8 and 10 years.
Picture taken in Washington D.C. zoo, in August 2002.
Family Felidae
Superfamily Feloidea
Order Carnivora
Subclass Eutheria
Class Mammalia
Subphylum Vertebrata
Phylum Chordata
Kingdom Animalia
Life on Earth
Index