CARACEL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: As the caracal continues on the path to extinction, individuals across India are recently trying to do what they can to save the iconic cat.

Caracel

• About: It is also called Persian lynx or African lynx, is a wild cat. Caracals are similar to lynxes, but are more related to the serval. Caracals are the fastest of the small cats.
• Scientific name: Caracal caracal.
• Habitat: Caracals predominantly inhabit rocky hills or grasslands.
• Geographical Range: These wild cats are native to various regions including Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and arid locales in Pakistan and northwestern India.
• Found in India: Kutch, and Ranthambhore.
• Species Diversity: The caracal is just one among a diverse group of over 30 species of small wild cats.
• Physical Characteristics: Medium-sized in stature, caracals possess a robust build, long legs, short faces, and distinctive long tufted ears.
• Caracals boast uniformly reddish tan or sandy coats with lighter ventral parts and small reddish markings, complemented by long canine teeth.
• Subspecies Variation: Within the caracal species, three distinct subspecies have been identified, indicating some regional differences in morphology or behavior.
• IUCN Status: Critically Endangered.