animalworld:

CARACAL - by request
Caracal caracal /ˈkærəkæl/
© Paula~Koala

• The pupils of a caracal’s eyes contract to form circles rather than the slits found in most small cats.
• The most conspicuous feature of the caracal is elongated, tufted black ears.
• The origin of its name, karakulak, Turkish for “black ear”.
• A juvenile has black on the outside of the ears, which disappears as it becomes an adult.
• Its ears, which it uses to locate prey, are controlled by 29 different muscles.
• Believed to be closely related to the African golden cat and the Serval.
• The caracal is classified as a small cat, yet is amongst the heaviest of all small cats, as well as the quickest, being nearly as fast as the serval.
• The feet of a caracal have numerous stiff hairs growing between the pads. These probably help the animal walk on soft sand.
• The jaw is short and equipped with powerful teeth.
• It is best known for its spectacular skill at hunting birds, able to snatch a bird in flight, sometimes more than one at a time.
• It can jump and climb exceptionally well, which enables it to catch hyraxes better than probably any other carnivore. If no cover is available in which to conceal itself, a caracal may flatten itself against the ground and remain motionless, allowing its coat colour to act as camouflage.
• Life expectancy in the wild is 12 years, and 17 years in captivity.

Fact Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracal

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