SHREYAS VIJAY
CONSERVATIONIST BIOLOGIST FELINOLOGIST
Caracals (Caracal caracal) are medium-sized wildcats inhabiting savanna, arid, and semi-arid landscapes across Africa, parts of the Middle East, and Western India. They possess a robust, muscular build and sport a tawny reddish-brown coat. Typically, they measure between 72 to 78 cm in length from head to tailbone and reach a height of 40 to 52 centimetres at the shoulders. One of their defining features is their large, pointy ears, adorned with black tufts. These remarkable ears house over 20 muscles that pivot like satellite dishes to detect prey sounds. The tufts may aid sound reception or serve in communication through twitches and movements with other caracals.
Among the fastest of small cats, Asiatic caracals are adept hunters. Their sandy-coloured coats provide camouflage, while stiff fur on their footpads enables almost silent stalking. Caracals are opportunistic predators, preying on a variety of food sources including antelopes, hares, birds, reptiles, rodents, and other small mammals. Their powerful hind legs enable them to leap up to 12 feet high and capture birds mid-air using their robust, hooked claws. Caracals are also known to climb trees to capture prey.
Caracal exhibits a diverse habitat range, including forests, savannas, marshy lowlands, semi-deserts, and scrub forests. However, they tend to favor dry regions characterized by low rainfall and ample cover. Remarkably, they can be found at elevations of up to 3,000 meters (approximately 9,800 feet) above sea level.
In the context of India, caracals primarily inhabit semi-arid regions featuring thorn scrub forests and dry deciduous forests. Notably, they are notably absent in true desert environments.
Studies have shed light on specific habitat preferences, with dry river beds emerging as favored locations. Interestingly, my study has revealed additional variables such as distance from water sources, proximity to human settlements, and vegetation diversity appear to have relatively less influence on their distribution. Instead, one consistent factor among all observed occurrence points is the terrain ruggedness, coupled with temperature conditions below 20 degrees Celsius. This likely relates to their hunting strategies and the need for protection and, their physiological adaptations and comfort zones respectively.
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Mating and Reproduction:
Caracal mating behaviour is rarely observed in the wild. They become sexually mature at around 12 to 15 months of age and prefer mating during the post-monsoon season, particularly in August. Females indicate their readiness to mate through urine marking, with oestrus lasting 1 to 3 days, occurring every two weeks until pregnancy. Responding males may engage in fights for access. While caracals are mostly solitary, females form temporary pairs with multiple males over 4 to 9 days to ensure successful fertilization. The gestation period is approximately 2 to 3 months post-fertilization, with a peak in births from October to February. Litters typically consist of one to six kittens, with only one (out of three) or three (out of five) surviving to adulthood, though exceptions occur.
Distribution and Conservation Status:
Caracals are rarely seen, with most sightings recorded through camera traps. Confirmed sightings place Ranthambore National Park, Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary and Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan, and Kutch Biosphere Reserve in Gujarat as strongholds for Indian caracals. Additionally, caracals are reported in similar habitats across various states, although many sightings remain unconfirmed and unofficially reported. During my studies, it revealed that caracals have extensive territories and often establish their own corridors to evade other predators and remain inconspicuous. They frequently use forest patches between agricultural fields as safe passages (stepping stones).
Population Estimate and Threats:
An exact count of caracals in India is unknown, but it is assumed to be less than 100 individuals spread across prime habitats in the country. Their secretive nature makes them challenging to observe. Major threats to caracals in India include habitat degradation, fragmentation, population decline, and genetic abnormality due to agriculture, windmill farming, inbreeding effects, retaliatory killing, road fatalities, and illegal pet trade. Other than a record in Chhattisgarh, notably, there have been no reports of caracals in India being used as bush meat.
Certainly, let's present some interesting facts about caracals;
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Caracals possess strong hind legs that enable them to leap up to heights of 12 feet, allowing them to capture birds in mid-air. This exceptional jumping ability contributes to their hunting success.
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The footpads of caracals are equipped with thick fur cushioning, which effectively muffles their footsteps. This unique adaptation makes them nearly silent stalkers, particularly on sandy terrain such as deserts and dunes.
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Caracals have remarkable ears with 20 muscles, allowing them to move like satellite dishes to detect sounds, including those of their prey. They possess acute auditory capabilities, enabling them to hear subtle sounds like heartbeats or the movements of their prey.
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Caracals occasionally display tree-climbing behavior when hunting. This behavior resembles that of leopards, as they ascend trees to capture prey, showcasing their adaptability in various hunting situations.
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As grassland and open scrub predators, caracals are known for their remarkable speed. They can sprint at speeds of up to 96 kilometers per hour (about 52 miles per hour), making them highly effective in chasing down prey.
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Caracals exhibit exceptional hunting capabilities, even tackling prey three times their size. They are known to successfully take down large antelopes like blackbucks, demonstrating their strength and predatory prowess. Remarkably, instances of caracals capturing adult chinkaras have been observed.
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The name "caracal" finds its origins in the Turkish word 'karrah-kulak,' meaning "long-eared one." This term was proposed in 1761 by Georges Buffon, highlighting the distinctive long ears of the species.
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In India, caracals are known as "Siyah-gosh," a name of Persian origin likely given by the Mughals. "Siyah" translates to "syahi," meaning ink, and "gosh" stands for ears, collectively signifying "inked ears" or "black-eared" in reference to their distinctive ear tufts.
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Regional variations in naming exist; in Gujarat, caracals are referred to as "hannotro," which means "chinkara look-alike." In southern Rajasthan, they are known as "Mor maar bagheri," meaning "peacock-killing cat," reflecting their hunting habits.
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Historical records indicate that Emperor Akbar had approximately 1600 caracals trained for participation in royal hunts, emphasizing their historical significance in Indian culture.