Common Name

Caracal, Rooikat

Afrikaanse naam

Rooikat

Family

Felidae

Scientific Name

Caracal caracal

Synonym (old name)

Felix caracal
Caracal

Description

Total length 1m or more - height at shoulder 40-45cm and weighing about 14kg. Females are smaller. A very handsome well-built cat with a dense coat of sandy-brown to rich reddish-brown. White underparts with indistinct spots. Black and white markings on the face. The ears are large - upright and black-backed - tipped with tassels of long black hair. Prefers more open habitat on higher parts of the reserve. Nocturnal and solitary - feeding mostly on mammals and birds but can take prey larger than itself.