Baku, May 4, AZERTAC

The fastest of the small African wild cats, caracals are supreme hunters.

This medium-sized wildcat roams the savannahs, deserts and forests of much of Africa and parts of the Middle East.

Its large, pointed, black-tipped, bushy ears are a hallmark of the species. In fact, the name “caracal” was proposed by Georges Buffon, a French naturalist and mathematician in 1761 who referred to his Turkish name “Karrah-kulak” or “Kara-coulac”, meaning “black-eared cat”.

According to National Geographic, Caracal’s extraordinary ears each have more than 20 muscles that rotate like satellite dishes to pick up sounds from their prey.

Additionally, their sand-colored coats provide camouflage; with the stiff fur cushioning their pads, turning them into silent stalkers.

Caracals, as mentioned earlier, are opportunistic predators, preying on anything they can find, including birds, rodents, mongooses, hyraxes, and even small monkeys.

Their strong hind legs allow them to jump up to 10 feet high and grab birds in the air with their thick, hooked claws. Caracals sometimes climb trees and hide their prey, such as leopards.