caracal


sierra, a caracal
<~~Sierra
- a male Caracal Lynx (Desert Lynx) born in 1990 came to us on 5/1/93 from an Alabama Research Center, with a general dislike for humans, but two years later he had mellowed a lot and will even come take food from our hands (glove and all). He has sired several healthy kittens for us, and is very romantically inclined.

This nocturnal and solitary cat is found in Africa and Asia in open plains, semidesert, woodland, and the savanna. The Caracal's head and body length can be up to three feet, tail length up to 12 inches, and weight up to 40 pounds. It has no fixed breeding season. After a gestation period of 70 days the female will give birth to two to three offspring.

Its distinctive large, tasseled ears are used to detect sounds made by prey and also used for communicating with other cats. The Caracal's diet consists of rodents, rabbits, small antelope, birds, reptiles, domestic animals, and insects, which they tend to hunt at night. During the day they may be seen in hollow trees, or in a cave to shelter themselves from the heat of the day.

The Caracal's name was derived from the Turkish word "karakulak," which means "black ears."

other caracals at easy street

Rupa - a female Caracal Lynx born in 1992 came to us 1/11/94 as a hand raised pet from a man who had discovered he had an incurable illness and could no longer care for his cats. She has all of her claws and teeth, but is very loving towards people. She is hyperactive and has scratched Don several times in play, but she is still one of his favorites.

Huntress - a female Caracal Lynx born in the Summer of 1993 came with Rupa to live with us on 1/11/94. We put her in with our young male, Hunter, so that they could grow up together and bond. In December 1994 a five week old kitten bounced out of her den. We had separated her and Hunter five weeks earlier because they were fighting, but we never knew during those five weeks what she was hiding in the nest.

Hunter - a male Caracal Lynx came to us about six months of age in July 1993. He was a pet in North Carolina, but the zoning district in which he lived would not permit exotic cats, and his owner had to part with him or move. He hisses and spits, and really dislikes women, but he actually loves attention from males, if you get past his bluff.

Crackle - a female Caracal Lynx born 4/1/92 arrived on 12/9/94 as a three year old and was very thin. She's the sweetest Caracal we've had. Her name was given to her, making fun of the ignorant USDA inspector who came in when she was just born and said "Oh look! A litter of crackles."

Candy - a female Caracal Lynx born 3/1/88 and arrived to live with us on 7/16/94 from an auction where she may have ended up in the hands of a Taxidermist due to her advanced age.

Sassy - a female Caracal Lynx born 12/6/94. She was the five week old kitten that Hunter and Huntress had on 12/94.

Kenya - a male Caracal Lynx born March of 1984. He arrived near death from an auction. He has since blossomed and has sired young.

Aruba (aka Kimba) - a female Caracal Lynx born 3/1/86. She was purchased from breeders who thought she was too old to be of any use.

Cachinga - a female Caracal Lynx born 12/1/94. She was imported with Cachanga from Africa to strengthen bloodlines. They both were 14 weeks old, mother raised spitfires when they arrived, but are very calm now.

Cachanga - a male Caracal Lynx born 12/1/94. He was imported from Africa with Cachinga.

click here to go to cougars!

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