Caracal

__**Caracal**__

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The Caracal is native to Africa and parts of the Middle East and western Asia. This cat lives in many types of habitats and unlike many cat species prefers open country. Its coat color gives it great camouflage when hunting. It uses the typical cat stalk and pounce method to catch prey but it can also climb well, make incredible vertical leaps and sprint at high speeds for short distances. Caracals feed on a wide variety of prey including animals as large as small antelopes. They also leap in the air to catch low flying birds. There are several theories regarding the function of this cat's prominant ear tufts. The tufts probably aid in hearing and also serve in helping the cats communicate with each other. Caracals are not as common as they once were throughout their range due to habitat loss and also because they are killed as pests or killed and eaten as bushmeat. =====

__**References:**__ animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/**Caracal**_**caracal**. html www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-**caracal**.html dspace.dial.pipex.com/agarman/**caracal**.htm