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Sumiya Sumiya (Lynx caracal)
The Caracal is known for its remarkable leaping ability, and is possibly the fastest cat of its size. A handsome animal, the caracal looks similar to the true lynx but is smaller and has a longer tail.
The body of the caracal is slender, with reddish brown fur on every area except the chin, throat and belly, which is white. The eyes are ringed in white, with a distinctive black line running from the eye to the nose. The ears are narrow, pointed, and tipped with a long tuft of black fur, similar to the lynx. The backs of its ears are black - in fact, the name Caracal is derived from the Turkish word "karakulak," meaning "black ear." Melanistic, or black, Caracals have also been reported.
The Caracal's habitat ranges from Central and Southern Africa, (excluding the dense tropical vegetation along the equator), the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
Largely nocturnal, caracals hunt by night for rodents, birds, young impala and antelopes. The Caracal is strong and fast, and like the leopard, it will sometimes place its prey in the lower limbs of trees, returning to feed off it for several days. Like other cats living in dry, arid or semi-desert locations, the Caracal can survive for long periods without water, obtaining moisture from its prey.
Caracal Statistics:
| Body Length | 28-29 inches Tail 8-9 inches |
| Height at Shoulders | up to 17 inches |
| Weight | up to 37 lbs. |
| Gestation Period | 71 days |
| Litter Size |
2-3 |
| Life Span | 19 years |
| Status | Least Concern |
