Ustyurt Reserve official captures photograph of caracal
Stalking the Southern Ustyurt:
Get a glimpse of the enigmatic predator that stirs the sands! This stealthy creature with black-tipped ears and a sharp gaze was captured on camera during a recent expedition. Dive into this article to learn more!
The picture was snapped by the Senior Scientist of the Science, Information, and Monitoring Department of Ustyurt State Nature Reserve, A. Pulatov, during a scientific journey between Southern Ustyurt and Oneri source on April 21st. The research was part of an international project to study and protect the large cats of Central Asia.
"Desert cats" claim the desolate lands of Kazakhstan, adapting effortlessly to the harsh landscapes they inhabit. Their paw fur grants them a flawless stride across the loose, scorching, sandy earth, leaving scarcely discernible footprints in their wake.
Meet the elusive caracal, an expert in concealment. This predatory cat, measuring up to 82 cm and weighing as much as 13 kg, leads a clandestine life, rarely crossing paths with humans. Its back boasts a brownish-yellow hue, while the belly is pale yellow. A distinguishing aspect is its black ears with tufts of flowing hair at the tips, making identification simple.
The caracal's primary food sources consist of rodents like gerbils, jerboas, and ground squirrels, tolai hares, and small antelopes such as the goitered gazelle. On occasion, it hunts hedgehogs, porcupines, reptiles, insects, and even smaller predators such as foxes and mangousts. Furthermore, the caracal has been known to target domestic poultry, kids, and lambs. Surprisingly, the caracal can survive extended periods without water, extracting moisture only from its catch.
Previously, we reported on the **"Mountain King": a rare predator reappeared in the Saveym-Ugam National Park". You can find more details here.
Red Book of KazakhstanCaracalNature ReserveCamera Trap AdventureAskarPreserve and Multiply!
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Intriguing Insights:- While often seen in desert and semi-desert areas of North Africa and the Middle East, food scarcity can compel caracals to travel to new regions like Kazakhstan.- These felines are highly adaptive, exhibiting nocturnal behavior and solitariness to evade detection in their habitat.- Caracals are skilled hunters who use their exceptional night vision to capture prey under the cover of darkness. They are also known to leap into the air to catch birds right out of trees.- Caracals mark their territories with scent to deter other caracals.- They inhabit dry, open areas, favoring rocky outcrops or scrublands where they can hunt small mammals and birds.
- What about the caracal's lifestyle in Kazakhstan's deserts? Interestingly, these elusive cats lead a nocturnal life, hunting under the cover of darkness to avoid detection.
- Geolocation reveals that these cats are not only found in North Africa and the Middle East, but have adapted to live in the harsh deserts of Kazakhstan as well.
- Outdoor-living is essential for the caracal, as they favor dry, open areas such as rocky outcrops or scrublands where they can hunt small mammals and birds.
- The lifestyles of these wildlife creatures often reflect their habitats. The caracal's adaptability and survival skills, like their ability to survive without water for extended periods, make them well-suited to living in deserts and semi-desert areas.
