Servals and caracals are similar in size, but servals hunt in wetter habitats, whereas caracals stick to the drier areas of Africa and the Middle East. Servals are medium-sized wild cats with a heightened sense of hearing. In fact, their hearing is way better than all other small cats and greatly aids them in hunting.
Servals can pounce on an invisible rat, just by using their sense of sound. Servals use a high leap to strike and kill their prey, preventing its escape. They prey on rodents, birds, reptiles, frogs, and insects.
Their robust build, long legs, a short face, long tufted ears, and long canine teeth distinguish caracals from the other cats. They are also known as the ‘African lynx’ or ‘desert lynx’. Apart from their good sense of hearing, their speed and agility make them good hunters; they can hunt an animal thrice their size!
Caracals are nocturnal and it is hard to spot them. They either live alone or in pairs. They have been known to leap up into the air to successfully catch and kill birds.
Picture Credit : Google