Caracals: breed characteristics, home care rules

There are many animals that can be bred at home. Caracals stand out among them. It is useful to know what this view looks like and what it is.

Caracal is considered by many people to be a wild beast. But in the same way it can be considered a completely domestic creature. This species easily takes root both in nature and at home.. However, the number of owners of such dangerous pets is still small.

People didn’t have to breed the cat breed specially, since all the “work”, if one can put it this way, was done by nature itself. Caracals settled extensive African and Asian lands, preferring areas where the forest intersects with the steppe. They can be seen in the Caspian coast area. In drylands (in deserts) caracals are not found.

The animal is able to move around trees without any problems. It also swims pretty well and moves rapidly along the ground. Caracal sometimes jumps more than 4 meters in length. This helps him to effectively hunt for very different prey. The predator is a great threat not only to wild herbivores, but also to livestock.

A massive response from animals was a logical response from people. She led almost to the complete disappearance of the wild cat. But the situation has changed thanks to the organization of nature reserves, where the caracal can feel safe. In addition, the domestication of this beast allowed even a few to increase its population. At home, the animal lives quietly and under certain conditions is not dangerous.

Bring the kittens into the house does not make sense. In this case, the predator habits are invariably preserved. But the character will be very different from the habits of a domestic cat. It makes sense to look for caracals only in specialized nurseries.

The name of the species comes from the Turkic languages. It translates literally as "black ears." And in fact, this is a typical feature of the Caracals. The ears are not just black - they are capped with sharp tips and tassels. The animal usually weighs from 15 to 20 kg, but occasionally its weight reaches 25 kg.

The appearance of caracals can be described as:

• the head is small;
• the muzzle is directed forward, covered with white and dark spots;
• high landing of big ears;
• almond-shaped, slightly yellow eyes, along which a black stripe runs;
• powerful, well developed body;
• hull length ranges from 0.65 to 0.85 m;
• animal height - 0.5 m;
• slender, moderately long legs;
• pretty long tail;
• the structure of the ears is similar to the tassels;
• the animal has a brown color close to the sandy tonality.

According to genetic characteristics, caracal (steppe lynx) clearly stands out in one species. If we proceed from the main external signs, the animal is closer to pumas, lynxes and African servals. Compared with ordinary lynx, it is smaller and has a uniform color. Paws of the predator are covered with rather stiff bristles, which allow you to move along the sand and other surfaces without any problems.

In the wild, you can see melanist caracals. A feature of such specimens is a darker color.The fur is not too long, but very thick. Its color is about the same as that of the cougars from North America: the coat is sandy or red-brown from above, and it is painted white below.

On the side of the face of Caracal, it is easy to notice the black areas. In the same color painted and ear tassels, and the outer side of the ears.

Caracals can be seen not only in the savannas, but also in the foothills. The main part of the predators settled:

• Africa;
• Saudi Arabia;
• Asia Minor;
• Near East.

Much less of them lives in the south of Turkmenistan, on the Mangyshlak Peninsula. The easternmost parts of the range are Kyrgyzstan and the environs of Bukhara. Some specimens live even in the foothills and deserts of Dagestan. Despite the lack of habit of desert conditions, steppe lynx can survive drought without problems. An animal goes without drinking for a very long time.

In the afternoon, when the heat reaches a peak, the caracals go to dense thickets - there the temperature is not felt so strongly. Like other cats, the species is formed by singles. Caracal guards strictly individual hunting zones. The size of such zones can reach 300 km.

Their minimum area is 4 square meters. km The predator has excellent vision and excellent hearing. It needs him to hunt more effectively. Noticing the potential prey, the cat almost immediately rushes to the attack. Paws of Caracal are well developed.

But they can not chase a long period of time for the victim. For this reason, ambush attack prevails. Potential victims are very diverse: the steppe cat attacks hares and birds, monkeys and porcupines, small antelopes and mongooses. Sometimes she hunts for lunch hedgehogs, rodents, reptiles and foxes.

An adult animal is able to cope with the victims twice as large as themselves. Small prey caracal destroys a crushing bite. If the attacked individual is larger than the predator, the strangulation tactic is used.

With an excess of food, the caracal will make supplies. Later he will finish them if he encounters, for example, difficulties in hunting.

Although a caracal and a predator, other animals also hunt it. First of all, these are hyenas and lions. Salvation for the steppe lynx are thick thickets.

Steppe wolves can also be dangerous. When a caracal attacks sheep, it can be attacked, in turn, by a guard dog - alabai.

Hunting for this species in the CIS is strictly prohibited. In the past, he himself was used for hunting. For the price of this method of fishing was quite affordable for most people. But now the situation has changed radically, because now it is, rather, an elite animal.

Caracal accumulates its food reserves in tall trees. There, this prey is almost inaccessible to other animals.

Reproduction occurs all year. There is a gap of about 6 months between the birth and the transition to independent hunting. Interestingly, the color of wool may vary slightly depending on the habitat.

For a cat like caracal, courage is typical, as well as a craving for freedom. But after the domestication of the animal managed to develop his desire to become attached to man. Individuals grown in nurseries are notable for their loyalty. Oddly enough, the character of the caracals is not closer to the feline, but to the dog species. The view is quite large and very active.

It is impossible to keep a beast in a small apartment, and it makes sense to start it only in large country cottages or in aviaries. The habits of a predator make it dangerous for preschoolers. Trust Caracal can only be adolescents, but better for adults. From the very beginning, it is necessary to conduct business in such a way that the caracal will learn a few prohibitions.

Among them:

• biting shoes and wiring;
• sitting on tables, chairs and armchairs;
• eating food laid in the master plate.

It is impossible to beat the cat. However, you should definitely deal with him strictly. Small cubs may suffer from toxic plants, household chemicals. It is dangerous to wind electrical cords and cords around your neck, stringing bags on your head. It is necessary to constantly protect animals from contact with these objects, but it is better to completely remove dangerous things from sight.

Caracal cubs cannot be found in bird markets. It is unlikely to buy it on the Internet. Announcements of the sale of an animal represent either fraud, or the sale of frankly doubtful individuals. It is advisable to contact professional breeders or in highly specialized nurseries. But it is better to take the animal in the home-type nurseries.

Aviary content is poorly suited - only with continuous contact with people from the first hours of life a kitten can grow tame, but this is not guaranteed. For this reason, it is recommended to find out in advance the reputation of the nursery and individual specialists. There is no point in acquiring an animal older than six months, otherwise it will not be able to adapt to the changed situation.

Of course, you can not buy caracals from dealers and from those who do not provide the necessary documents. From the very beginning, one should decide whether an animal is required: as a pet or for the purpose of self-breeding. This invariably affects the price. In addition, predators purchased not for breeding, it is advisable to castrate or sterilize at the age of 3 to 5 months, otherwise the individual will be aggressive and will begin to mark the territory everywhere. Even worse, if the animal starts to run away.

The cost of small caracals in serious nurseries can not be less than 8 thousand dollars. Given the additional costs and the steady increase in the cost of keeping animals, you will have to plan at least another 25% to this amount. In this instance, intended for breeding, will be somewhat more expensive.

As already mentioned, it is almost impractical to keep caracals in an apartment in the city. But if the animal is grown properly and brought up in love and care, then it will be different kindness and playful disposition. Caracal is energetic, distinguished by curiosity and high intellectual level. Usually, the animal exhibits an even, good attitude towards all family members. With any of them, an adult predator comes in contact without any problems.

His attitude towards strangers is much more restrained. Sometimes the beast comes even aggressively.

Tying to the owners is peculiar to Caracal. But only one person animal will obey without talking. It is important to know that even a small domesticated individual should not be perceived as an analogue of a domestic cat.

Despite the ease and high speed of domestication, the caracal will always behave differently from a regular pet. Yes, he will rejoice when he is scratched behind the ear. But this is the maximum that you can count on. In the first 2 years, the desert lynx has many psychological problems. For him, it is an analogue of human adolescence.

Caracal can be kept at home, but only with great care - from it comes a potential threat to the owners and the people around them. Have to spend a lot of time on educational work. It is advisable to even turn more often to the help of professionals. It is worth remembering that the caracal at home:

• often bathes;
• can bring toys at the call of the owners;
• without much difficulty walks with a leash.

The animal plays about the same as dogs. At the same time they are elegant, as representatives of the cat family. Caracals easily get along with other cats. It is difficult to imagine how they will communicate with dogs. But if a bird or a small rodent (hamster) already lives at home, then the predator instincts will almost work.

Desert lynx often becomes a source of problems in families with small children. Even if she is not too aggressive, she still often shows self-will and emphasized independence. In the most difficult situations, adults may not have time to pull up a pet. This also applies to the most disciplined and trained individuals.

To admire the "red kittens" in the aviary or in a photograph and contain them is not the same thing. For an animal you need more free space. The minimum ceiling height should be 2.5 m. At the same time, the area of ​​the enclosed enclosure should be at least 15 square meters. m

Caracal can be a real destroyer of the house: it is not difficult for him to make a terrible mess, break, break, turn a lot of things. Those toys that will please the domestic cat will not please the steppe fellow. These things are too small. What exactly helps is toys meant for medium-sized dogs or for children.

From the very beginning you should tune in to serious expenses. Users can choose different caracal feeding patterns. But meat must always be the basis of them. Occasionally, raw chicken eggs are added to the diet. Some owners prefer purely "live" food.

Kids need quail and mouse. Adults should be fed chickens, rats. In some cases, first-class cat food is used. Among them are selected those that contain some cereals and other additives. But even in this case, such a diet is difficult to consider the best choice.

It should be added that caracal is a living food, albeit in a small volume, it is required systematically - without it, the normal activity of the digestive system and microflora is unattainable. In the first 36 months of life, the steppe beast must necessarily receive vitamins and microelement complexes.

A wild animal, including after domestication, should occasionally experience at least a slight hunger. It is not just not harmful - the absence of this feeling is unnatural. The exact amount of food is determined by the mass and age of the caracal. We must assume that every day an animal should eat from 3 to 5% of its own weight. When warm days come, caracal requires less food than in the cold.

Water should be provided without restrictions. Once every 10 days on average is a discharge period. Then for a day the karakals need only be given water. You can not allow them to get food and water on their own.

Caracal meat should be given only low-fat varieties. Feed them raw sea fish should be a maximum of once a week. Unloading days can not be carried out for pregnant and lactating individuals. It is unacceptable to give something sweet and food from the table. Unacceptable feeding spicy, salty and spicy foods.

Also banned the following products:

• sausage;
• sausages and wieners;
• all types of smoked meat (regardless of the method of smoking).

Combing the cat should occur about 1 time per week. She will calmly take bathing, but the need for this procedure arises only when the wool is very dirty. To remove claws on the forelimbs, they turn to nurseries - there they are quickly and painlessly cut by a laser.

Removing claws at home is not recommended. The cat will react badly to such a procedure. Required to provide kogtederku. Weekly inspection of the ears and eyes of the animal. As required, they are cleaned.

How to keep caracal at home, see below.