Monster
Felis
caracal - CARACAL
The
most distinctive feature of the caracal is it’s narrow pointed ears.
The ears are black on the back with long
tufts, up to four inches long, on the tips.
It
is believed these tufts act as amplifiers for the cat’s already acute
hearing.
Another common name for the Caracal is the Desert Lynx. Considered the
largest of the “small” cats in Africa,
male
caracals in South Africa weigh as much as 40 lb. (18 kg.); females are
slightly smaller and weigh
less
than 35 lb. (16 kg.). Caracals feed primarily on small antelope,
gazelles, hares and small rodents.
These cats are capable of running at
speeds of 55 mph or 102 kph and leaping over 12 feet into the air
from a sitting position. This puts small
birds in the “favorite food “list as well.
Monster’s original home was with a science teacher in the Western part of
Washington.
He was a “Teacher’s Aide” and hundreds of children met him at school. As he
reached middle age,
she felt he was ready to retire so contacted Cat Tales. We agreed to let him
join our family
and he has adjusted to a pampered lifestyle very well.
Caracals are a crepuscular or nocturnal animal.
This means their main activity and hunting period is from dusk, through the
night, until dawn.
Monster will often be seen during daylight hours when food or treats are
available,
though there are times when he prefers his natural activity time from dusk
until dawn.
Both caracals and servals use the pounce or “slap” method of taking down
their prey.
Their long legs and quick feet are used to strike and stun their prey prior
to inflicting the predatory bite.
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