THE CARACAL 



[Felis caracal) 



Also known as the Lynx, Rooi-kat, Persian Lynx, Incawa 

 of the Amaxosa, and Tuane of the Bechuanas 



In South Africa the Caracal is better known as the 

 Lynx or Rooi-kat (Red Cat). The three names by 

 which it is known are all significant of some peculi- 

 arity in the animal. The word Caracal is derived 

 from the Turkish, meaning " Black-eared," because 

 of the backs of its ears and tufts of hair in their 

 tips being black. In Persia and India it is known 

 as the " Siyah-gush," which also has the same 

 meaning as the word Caracal. 



Rooi or Red Cat is also an appropriate name, for 

 this animal, with the exception of the backs of its 

 ears and the ear tufts, is uniform brick red in colour. 



The Caracal is not a true Lynx, but it so closely 

 resembles it that none but the experienced zoo- 

 logist would recognise the difference. The Caracal 

 is the link between the typical cats and lynxes. The 

 chief difference between the Caracal and true Lynx 

 is that the latter has a shorter tail, a ruff around 

 the throat, and thicker fur than the former. 



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