The caracal, a medium-sized wild cat, is a formidable predator recognized for its remarkable agility and refined hunting abilities. This cat is a strict carnivore, meaning its diet consists entirely of meat. Its specialized predatory nature allows it to thrive across diverse habitats, demonstrating an an impressive capacity to adapt its diet to the available prey.
Primary Prey
The diet of a caracal is predominantly small to medium-sized mammals, constituting over 80% of its food intake. Rodents (e.g., gerbils, mice, rats, vlei rats) are a consistent food source. Hares (e.g., Cape hare) and hyraxes (e.g., rock hyrax or dassie) also form a substantial part of their diet.
Caracals also prey on small antelopes, such as duikers, springboks, various gazelles, Cape grysbok, impala, and young kudu. Birds are another important component, particularly ground-dwelling species and those caught mid-flight (e.g., guinea fowl, pheasants, doves). Their hunting behavior primarily focuses on fresh kills, though they consume a wide range of species depending on availability.
Hunting Strategies
Caracals are athletic predators, utilizing powerful hind legs to leap impressively high. They can jump up to 3 meters (10 feet) into the air, a skill frequently employed to snatch birds from flight. Their agility allows them to twist and change direction mid-air, enhancing their success in aerial pursuits.
These cats employ a stealthy approach, relying on keen hearing, which is aided by over 20 muscles controlling their distinctive ear tufts. They stalk prey within a few meters before launching a powerful rush, often pouncing directly onto the animal or bringing it down with a forepaw swipe. For smaller prey, a bite to the nape of the neck is sufficient, while larger animals are subdued with a suffocating bite to the throat. Their speed and agility allow them to take down prey two to three times their own size.
Varied Diet and Water Sources
Beyond their primary prey, caracals exhibit opportunistic feeding behavior, incorporating a diverse range of items. This includes reptiles such as lizards, snakes, and tortoises, though these are less frequent than mammals and birds. Insects, like locusts, may also be consumed, particularly when other prey is scarce. Caracals will occasionally scavenge on carrion, especially when food resources are low.
In areas with human settlements, caracals may opportunistically prey on livestock, including poultry, sheep, and goats, especially if natural prey populations are diminished. Despite this, livestock typically represents a small and seasonal portion of their overall diet. Caracals are remarkably adapted to arid environments, largely deriving moisture from the blood, tissues, and bodily fluids of the prey they consume. This adaptation allows them to survive extended periods without needing to drink water directly, though they will drink from available sources like dew or rainwater when present. The specific composition of a caracal’s diet can vary based on its geographic location and the local availability of prey.