Caracal

The feathered ear tufts

The caracal’s most distinctive feature is its long black ear tufts — up to 5 cm of black hair projecting from the tip of each ear. The function of these tufts is debated: communication between individuals (moving and positioning the tufts may signal mood), camouflage (breaking up the ear outline in tall grass), or acoustic direction-finding. Similar tufts appear convergently in the Eurasian lynx, suggesting a functional value.

Bird-catching leap

Caracals are renowned for their ability to catch birds — including large birds — by leaping from the ground. A caracal can jump 3 metres vertically and can bat multiple birds from a flying flock in a single leap, using both forepaws simultaneously. In parts of India, trained caracals were historically used for bird-hunting by Mughal nobility — a practice called chakar. This is where the word “caracal” originates: from Turkish kara kulak (black ear).

Range and habitat

The caracal has one of the widest ranges of any wild felid — from South Africa to the Indian subcontinent. It is the largest of Africa’s small cats and can survive in very dry conditions, obtaining most of its water from prey. It preys on antelopes up to three times its own body weight, rodents, birds, and hyraxes.

Livestock conflict

In parts of Africa — particularly South Africa’s Karoo and Northern Cape regions — caracals are persecuted as livestock predators. They take small livestock (lambs, goats, poultry) and can cause significant losses to farmers. This human-wildlife conflict has historically led to heavy trapping and poisoning, though caracal populations remain stable.