The caracal is a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and arid areas of Pakistan and northwestern India. It is characterised by a robust build, long legs, a short face, long tufted ears, relatively short tail, and long canine teeth. Its coat is uniformly reddish tan or sandy, while the ventral parts are lighter with small reddish markings. It reaches 40–50 cm (16–20 in) at the shoulder and weighs 8–19 kg (18–42 lb). It was first scientifically described by German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1776. Three subspecies are recognised.
Image: Caracal on the road, early morning in Kgalagadi (36173878220) (cropped)
Image: Caracal distribution
A close facial view of a caracal, with the typical tufted ears and the black facial markings
Caracals inhabit dry areas with some cover.
Felidae is the family of mammals in the order Carnivora colloquially referred to as cats. A member of this family is also called a felid. The term "cat" refers both to felids in general and specifically to the domestic cat.
Felidae
Extended claws on a house cat
Lionesses grooming each other
Megantereon model at Natural History Museum of Basel