Aspects of the biology of the caracal (Felis caracal Schreber, 1776) in the Cape Province, South Africa.
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Date
1982
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Abstract
Felis caracal, despite heavy hunting pressure, is common
and widespread throughout the Cape Province. Caracal
are considered to be the principal wild predator of
domestic livestock (goats and sheep) by most farmers and
hunt clubs.
Scat and stomach content analysis, as well as observations,
indicate that F. caracal prey primarily on small to
medium-sized mammals. The feeding habits of caracal-in
different areas varied, according to abundance and
occurrence of prey species. Captive animals required
an average of 586g of meat each day. Killing techniques
varied for different sized prey items.
Physical and behavioural ontogeny are described for
captive born animals. A technique for determining age
of F. caracal was developed from study of known-age
captive caracal.
Examination of females killed in the wild, captive births,
and births which were back-dated indicated that although
young were born throughout the year, there was a definite
birth peak between October and February with the lowest
point being in May/June. Caracal were distinctly
sexually dimorphic in size.
Six F. caracal (four females and two males) were trapped,
fitted with radio-transmitters, and released at the
capture sites. Animals were cumulatively tracked for
a total of 164 weeks. The mean range was 24,16km².
A young adult male covered approximately 138km before
settling in a 48km² area.
Recommendations are presented for reducing losses of
domestic stock by the caracal, based on the principal
of removing the problem individual rather than blanket
control.
Description
Thesis (M.Sc.)- University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1982.
Keywords
Cats., Theses--Zoology.