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Description
Photo taken in August, 2014 @ Olmense Zoo, Belgium

At first, we nearly didn't see the Caracals - I guess they didn't like the rainy weather and didn't want to get soggy feet. Eventually, both came out. This one was a shade lighter in its coloring that the other (who, btw, wouldn't sit still long enough for me to get a good photo through the fence or glass).
We had to make do with this one, who actually bothered to sit still and look pretty.
Fun fact: This pair of Caracals had two kittens earlier; if you want to see some photos of the cuties (we didn't find them anywhere in the zoo) check out Nikki-vdp , who visited the zoo in May and did see them

Species: Common Caracal or Desert Lynx (Caracal of Woestijnlynx)

Latin name: Caracal Caracal Caracal

Originates from South Africa.

Current status: Least Concern.

Did you know:

…The Caracal has been formerly classified as Felis, but was distinguished by the presence of a long toft on the tip of the ears. It was then classified as Lyx, but molecular evidence proves it’s more closely allied with the African Golden Cat and Serval.

…The pupils of the Caracal’s eyes contract to form circles, while most cats have and keep vertical pupils.

…The word caracal is derived from the Turkish words “kara kulak”, meaning “black ear”.

…The Caracal seems to have held some religious significance in Ancient Egypt; they occur in wall paintings, their embalmed bodies and sculptures of Caracals have been found in guarded tombs.

© Me

I love it when you love my work, but please, if you want to use it in any other medium, ask my permission first.

Description
Photo taken in August, 2014 @ Olmense Zoo, Belgium

At first, we nearly didn't see the Caracals - I guess they didn't like the rainy weather and didn't want to get soggy feet. Eventually, both came out. This one was a shade lighter in its coloring that the other (who, btw, wouldn't sit still long enough for me to get a good photo through the fence or glass).
We had to make do with this one, who actually bothered to sit still and look pretty.
Fun fact: This pair of Caracals had two kittens earlier; if you want to see some photos of the cuties (we didn't find them anywhere in the zoo) check out Nikki-vdp , who visited the zoo in May and did see them

Species: Common Caracal or Desert Lynx (Caracal of Woestijnlynx)

Latin name: Caracal Caracal Caracal

Originates from South Africa.

Current status: Least Concern.

Did you know:

…The Caracal has been formerly classified as Felis, but was distinguished by the presence of a long toft on the tip of the ears. It was then classified as Lyx, but molecular evidence proves it’s more closely allied with the African Golden Cat and Serval.

…The pupils of the Caracal’s eyes contract to form circles, while most cats have and keep vertical pupils.

…The word caracal is derived from the Turkish words “kara kulak”, meaning “black ear”.

…The Caracal seems to have held some religious significance in Ancient Egypt; they occur in wall paintings, their embalmed bodies and sculptures of Caracals have been found in guarded tombs.

© Me

I love it when you love my work, but please, if you want to use it in any other medium, ask my permission first.