Want to know where and when to find Caracal? opspoor shows recent sightings across South Africa's parks and when each species is usually active.
Where to see Caracal in South Africa
Easiest first. Pick a park for when and where to look there.
Recent Caracal sightings
About the Caracal
The caracal is a medium-sized African wild cat recognised by its reddish-brown coat, black-tipped ears with long tufts and relatively short tail. It is highly adaptable and occurs in savanna, grassland, woodland, scrub and semi-arid habitats. Caracals are primarily nocturnal hunters and feed on rodents, birds, reptiles and small to medium-sized mammals. They are powerful and agile predators capable of making spectacular vertical leaps to catch birds in flight.
How to identify the Caracal
Medium-sized wild cat with a compact muscular body, long legs, short tail and distinctive black ear tufts. Coat ranges from sandy or reddish-brown to grey, often with faint spots or markings and a pale underside.
Did you know?
Caracals are exceptional jumpers and can leap vertically high enough to catch birds in flight, sometimes striking several birds during a single rapid leap.
Also known as: African Lynx, Rooikat
Planning a safari? Pick a park above to see when and where to look for Caracal, and log your own sightings in opspoor, even with no signal.