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Not Really a Big Cat, the Caracal Is a Hunter that Lives in Asia and Africa

A desert lynx, also known as caracal, is a wild cat native from Africa, Asia, and parts of India. They can be found in woodlands, grasslands, savannahs, and forest.

Caracals are known for their strong build, extended legs, and long fuzzy ears; their coats are the colors of reddish tan or sandy. They can reach up to 40 inches in length and weigh up to 40 pounds. Their long ears and legs are excellent for hunting and it even helps them to jump up to 10 feet in the air. Desert lynxs can live up to 12 years in the wild. In captivity like the zoo, they can live up to 17 years due to the care provided.

Caracal cats have a typical diet of rodents, hares, rabbits and small antelopes. Just like the leopards, the caracals keep their kills in a tree to feast on later. These fierce cats are not afraid to kill bigger animals than themselves. While hunting, the fierce cats need to watch out for farmers. In Asia and Africa, many are known to hunt the Caracal because they chase farmers' livestock. Caracals are also hunted for their skin, because it is considered luxury.

Lets spread awareness in order to protect these amazing cats. If we do not, the Caracals will go into the endangered animals species list.

[Sources: World Wildlife Atlas; Smithsonian]

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