Caracal

/kˈæɹækə‍l/

/kˈæɹækəl/

Caracal

a medium-sized wild cat with distinctive elongated tufted ears, short reddish-brown fur, and a long black-tufted tail. It is native to Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

synonyms : desert lynx

Lynx caracal

What is a "caracal"?

The caracal is a medium-sized wild cat species native to Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. It is known for its distinctive appearance, characterized by its tufted ears and slender body. The caracal has a short, dense coat that is typically reddish-brown or sandy in color, with a white belly and black tufts of fur on its ears. Its ears are long and pointed, with prominent tufts of black hair at the tips, which are believed to aid in communication and enhance its hearing abilities. The caracal has long legs and a relatively short tail, and it is known for its exceptional speed and agility. It is an opportunistic predator that preys on a variety of small to medium-sized animals, including birds, rodents, and small mammals. The caracal is known for its impressive jumping ability, allowing it to catch birds in mid-air or leap to great heights to catch prey.

Examples

1. The caracal is a wild cat which is native to Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and India.

2. The caracal's feet are designed for a surprise attack.

3. Women also patrolled the mostly peaceful Jordanian border in the Caracal unit.

4. While humans only have six ear muscles, each caracal ear is controlled by 20 separate muscles, which move and tilt the ears independently.

Nearby words