GENERAL INFORMATION
The word “Caracal” is derived from the Turkish words “kara kulak”, which means ‘black ear’. It is a slender and long-legged cat of medium size with a relatively short tail. This wild cat is distinguished from the ordinary wild cats by the presence of a long black tuff on their ear which they are famous for. These rare creatures typically live in arid areas on their own and usually live on a diet of small rodents, particularly fond of common vole, rabbits and squirrels, though, very rarely they eat fruit. Caracals are easily adapted to live with humans, thus, at times they give an impression of being a domestic animal. Being on the verge of becoming extinct, it is highly forbidden to hunt this endangered species in Turkey.
OBSERVING CARACALS
Since Caracals are master of camouflage as well as prone to hide themselves, catching sight of a caracal is quite difficult in the wild life. Furthermore, they are also nocturnal animals hunting primarily at night, which makes it very difficult to see them. Nevertheless, those that live in the national park of Turkey can be seen by the mountains. The best place to see a caracal in this country is in the national park of Mount Güllük in Antalya. Given the information of the last place they have been seen in the national park, sit quietly nearby this spot somewhere so that they cannot detect your scent. If you are patient enough and fortunate, you will be rewarded with a sight of these exceptional species.
