Nature Walks – Hidden Caracals

We go to the Wild Animal Sanctuary quite a bit, as you all know. Every time we go, we see something different. This time, our new find was the caracals. They were hiding in the tall grasses and in the ditches. They blend in very well, by design. If one of the volunteers hadn’t pointed the first one out to us, we probably would have just walked on by and never noticed him. I am so glad we saw them though. They are beautiful.

The caracal is a carnivore that typically preys upon birds, rodents, and other small mammals. They can leap higher than 3.0 m (9.8 ft) and catch birds in midair. Caracals are highly adaptable, medium-sized wild cats inhabiting dry woodlands, savanna, shrublands, and arid hilly steppes across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. They prefer areas with good cover for stalking, such as rocky hills and savannas, while avoiding dense tropical forests and sandy, hyper-arid deserts. Caracals are primarily solitary, territorial, and nocturnal hunters that live alone, except for mating pairs or mothers with kittens. They mark vast territories using urine, act independently in the wild, and use vocalizations like hisses and growls to establish boundaries. 

Have a great day and make everyday great. Discover something new everyday. ‘Til next time.