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Caracal
Newquay Zoo is home to a three-year-old female caracal.
She recently arrived from Exmoor Zoo and can currently be seen opposite the agouti and the entrance to the Savannah Walkway. She will soon move into a brand-new habitat as part of the zoo's exciting African Savannah development.
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Carnivora
Family:
Felidae
About the Carpathian lynx
The caracal is a medium-sized wild cat found across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central and South Asia. It inhabits savannas, grasslands, scrublands, semi-deserts, and open woodlands, where its excellent camouflage and stealth make it a highly skilled hunter. Caracals feed on birds, rodents, hares, and other small mammals, relying on speed and powerful leaps to catch their prey.
Best known for their distinctive black ear tufts, caracals are solitary and mostly active during dawn, dusk, and the night. They are capable of jumping several metres into the air to catch birds in flight and are among the most athletic members of the cat family.
Conservation
Although caracals remain widespread across much of Africa and parts of Asia, some regional populations are declining due to habitat loss, persecution by farmers, and road collisions. Conservation efforts focus on protecting natural habitats, reducing conflict with people, and improving our understanding of wild populations.