HABITAT
Caracals are typically found in woodlands, thickets, and scrub forest, plains and rocky hills are also common habitats.

GEOGRAPHIC REGION AND RANGE
Caracals can be found over much of Africa and southwestern Asia

DIET
Carnivores. Eat mostly birds and small mammals but occasionally reptiles as well. In the zoo, they eat a feline diet consisting of meat (feline meatballs, etc.) and boiled eggs.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
The Caracal is a short-haired cat with reddish-brown fur and black tufts of hair on their pointed ears. The trademark features of caracals are their elongated and black-tufted ears.

LIFESPAN
Natural Habitat: 12 years
Under Human Care: Up to 20 years

THREATS
Predation on small livestock has resulted in the extermination of thousands of caracals annually. Habitat destruction is a threat to caracals in central, west, north, and northeast Africa.

STATUS
Least Concern