THE CARACAL 



number of pigeons which the animals would succeed 

 in killing. 



The Caracal when taken into captivity during the 

 kittenhood stage of life is easily tamed, and becomes 

 exceedingly docile and affectionate. A friend had 

 a half-grown one which ran about the house like 

 any domestic cat, and knew its name so well that it 

 always responded when called. Many years ago, 

 before my arrival at the Port Elizabeth Museum, a 

 tame Rooi-kat roamed through the building at all 

 times and made friends with any visitor who 

 happened to make kindly overtures. It never did 

 any damage, and was not known to have interfered 

 with anyone. Occasionally it ventured out into the 

 street, but bolted back into the museum in wild 

 alarm on the approach of a strange dog. 



When captured very young they are difficult to 

 rear, often refusing to take milk, and when forcibly 

 fed they do not thrive. An animal dealer of my 

 acquaintance was very unsuccessful in rearing young 

 Caracals, which he always kept confined in cages, 

 until I suggested constructing a large enclosure for 

 them, in which to take exercise in the sunshine and 

 fresh air. He did so, and had no further difficulty. 



The Bechuana natives make excellent skin rugs, 

 known as karosses, from the pelts of these Rooi-kats. 

 Sometimes an entire kaross is made from the skins, 

 and at other times one only is set in the centre, and 

 bordered with the skins of other animals. The 

 Bechuanas believe that if a Rooi-kat kaross is worn 



VOL. I l6l II 



