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Caracal Facts & Worksheets

The caracal is a medium-sized wildcat that roams the savannas, deserts, and forests of much of Africa and parts of the Middle East.

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The Caracal is a medium-sized wildcat that roams the savannas, deserts, and forests of much of Africa and the Middle East.

See the fact file below for more information on caracal, or you can download our 22-page caracal worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ORIGIN

  • Caracal is an ancient cat breed found in Africa, the Middle East, Asia Minor, and Central Asia’s steppes and deserts. It is also found, but to a lesser extent, in Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and some areas of Uzbekistan; additionally, about 100 wild individuals live in Dagestan’s mountainous and steppe areas.
  • A phylogenetic study suggests that the caracal and the African golden cat diverged between 2.93 and 1.19 million years ago. 
  • Together with the Serval cat, these two species formed the Caracal lineage, which diverged around 11.56 and 6.66 million years ago.
  • The name “caracal” is derived from two Turkic words: kara, which means “black,” and kulak, which means “ear.” The first documented use of this name was in 1760.
  • The Caracal is also known as the gazelle cat, red cat, rooikat, and red or Persian lynx.
  • Caracals are medium-sized cats with a sturdy build, a short face, long canine teeth, tufted ears, and long legs. 
  • It had long black tufts on its ears and two black stripes from its forehead up to its nose. 
  • Because of the lowered upper eyelid, the eyes appear narrowly opened, which is most likely an adaptation to shield the eyes from the sun’s glare.
  • Medium-sized caracals, also known as a desert lynx, lack spots and stripes and have longer legs and a slimmer body than true lynxes. 
  • With these cats weighing between 25 to 40 pounds, they are by far the heaviest and fastest small cats, as well as the largest small cats in Africa.

PERSONALITY

  • Caracals are recognized for moving around and not remaining in one place for long periods of time. 
  • This is because they have adapted to survive and are very good at constantly reaching new locations.
  • These cats are nocturnal animals, wherein they sleep during the day to conserve energy and hunt at night when the temperature is cooler. However, they are still capable of hunting even during the day.
  • This cat breed has a mating call that sounds like a cough. When this occurs, multiple males compete for the attention of a female.
  • Caracal cats tend to blend in with the color of their surroundings, and their fur is darker or lighter depending on where they live. Birds are their favorite prey; when hunting, they can leap ten feet into the air if the bird tries to flee.
  • Caracals, like other small cats, may purr when happy and end up making a variety of other mews, growls, and hisses for them to convey their mood. 
  • Caracals are usually silent, but they can also cry out like a leopard if necessary.
  • These cats are known to be friendly and open and get along well with other pets, with the exception of rodents and birds. 
  • Caracal young are called kits and are well-treated. Playing with a kit should be done with caution because when the cat gets tired, it can show teeth, and it is a very strong animal with large claws.

HEALTH

  • A grown caracal cat can consume up to three pounds of meat daily and has a higher protein requirement than many highly processed cat foods. 
  • As a result, feeding a caracal a complete and balanced diet usually entails getting in touch with a veterinarian to develop a customized nutrition plan.
  • Regarding diseases or health disorders, a caracal is a healthy cat that usually does not cause any problems for its owner. 
  • However, considering annual vet visits, vaccinations, the cost of a transport cage, and food, properly housing and caring for this specific cat breed is expensive.

GROOMING

  • The caracal breed sheds heavily, especially in the summer, and thus requires regular combing. The caracal’s coat does not require any special care. 
  • However, the coat condition is determined by the cat breeds that have been crossed. When combined with the coat of a Maine Coon, the caracal has higher coat care requirements, including regular brushing.
  • They are usually brushed only when the cat is extremely dirty, such as after a walk down the street. Because they despise water and, given the size, weight, teeth, and claws of this animal, bathing it is a difficult task.
  • Domesticated caracal owners must train their pets to sharpen their claws on proper scratching posts such as carpet remnants. It is also important to brush the cat’s teeth at least three times per week, clean debris from its eyes and ears, as well as trim its claws every ten days.
  • Keep in mind that an adult caracal will mark his territory, and removing him from it will be extremely difficult.

HABITAT AND ENVIRONMENT

  • Caracals are ferocious predators in the wild. Being fast, inconspicuous, and strong makes them perfect hunters. 
  • However, once domesticated, may become affectionate companions and pets for trained caracal owners.
  • But caracals remember their wild origins despite being domesticated and cared for by their owners. Because of their independence and rambunctious nature, they will only socialize on their own terms and will engage in rough play. 
  • In the wild, these animals mark territories with scent and visual cues, exercise, play, and hunt in vast territories that are impossible to contain under normal living conditions.
  • Their wild instincts and energy reserves would then lead to scratched-up furniture, unpleasant urine smells, and destroyed clothing, which are common expenses associated with exotic cats.
  • As a result, despite outdoor enclosures, behavioral issues and problems that overwhelm the owners arise quickly.

POPULARITY

  • Caracals are beautiful, easy to tame, and naturally expressive, which has led to their increasing popularity in the pet trade. 
  • Keeping pet caracals is a centuries-old tradition in many parts of Asia, but exotic pet breeders are thriving today.
  • Caracals do not make good pets, as should be obvious. Without thousands of years of domestication, any wild animal’s instincts would resurface, and most end up in a rescue center when the owner realizes how difficult they truly are to manage.
  • Although caracal cats are found throughout Africa, the best places to see them are in the arid regions of Southern Africa. 
  • Because of competition and diverse environments, they have become dominant mesocarnivore – whose diet consists of 50–70% meat, supplemented by non-vertebrates, plant materials, and any food that is available to them.
  • The caracal population is classified as Least Concern in South Africa because it is widely spread and able to adapt to a wide range of habitats.

Caracal Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Caracals across 22 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Caracals, medium-sized wildcat that roams the savannas, deserts, and forests of much of Africa and parts of the Middle East.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Caracal Facts
  2. Caracal Summarized
  3. Catch the Flaw
  4. Kitty Appreciation
  5. Caracal Qualities
  6. Cat Comparison
  7. A Pet Caracal
  8. World of Wild Cats
  9. Car-ing for the Wild
  10. Caraca-rtoon

Frequently Asked Questions

How high can a caracal jump?

These agile felines boast remarkable jumping capacities, pouncing up to 10 ft into the air to snag a tall avian.

How fast can caracals run?

With speeds of up to 50mph, a caracal can outrun any predator. So it is no wonder why this species has earned the nickname “gazelle cat.” Its sensitive hearing further enhances its capabilities – with 20 muscles in each ear aiding the creature in locating its prey.

Are caracals violent?

Due to their tendency to attack unprovoked, caracals aren’t the ideal pet for households with small children. These animals are known to be wary of adults but may lash out at young ones if they feel threatened in any way. 

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Link will appear as Caracal Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, December 16, 2022

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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