Caracal vs Lynx – What are 8 Key Differences?

The Caracal is an Asian and African species of cat. A Lynx refers to any one of many species of large-sized wild cats belonging to the Lynx or Felis subgenera. They are often confused, but they can be easily distinguished. This post will highlight eight key differences between the caracal lynx and the Lynx to help you distinguish them!

Caracal vs Lynx Size

The average female Iberian Lynx weighs around 21 pounds. The length of the Iberian lynx is between 23 and 27 inches. The largest Lynx, the Eurasian Lynx, is 27 inches long and weighs between 40 and 66 pounds.

A caracal‘s shoulder height is 16-18 inches. Its length is 24-42inches with a 7.9-9.3-inch tail. A mature caracal can weigh 20-40 pounds.

Caracal vs Lynx – Colors

The Lynx can be found in various body colours, from medium brown to goldish white. All lynx species have white fur on their chests, belly, and inner legs. The climate can affect the colour, length, size, and texture of the Lynx’s hair and the size of their paws.

Caracals have a tawny, reddish-gold or reddish-orange coat with a white throat, abdomen, and chin. The brown-black coat forms a collar around your neck and has a black tail tip and ear tufts.

Lynx vs Caracal: Physical Features

The Lynx has blotches and speckles, but the Caracal does not. The Lynx has large paws and tufts of hair on their ears. Lynx also have long legs.

The Caracal has a long tail and pointed ears. It is short-tailed and long-legged. Caracals of medium size have long legs and shorter tails. They are muscular with small heads. The Caracal’s large, black-tufted, pointed ears look like a crown.

Caracal vs Lynx – Danger

Because of their size and the food they need to survive, Lynx can eat large species. Lynx doesn’t have a social life. Lynx are not social animals. They are dangerous and unfriendly, which makes it difficult to domesticate them. Although lynxes will fight back violently if they are cornered, they generally avoid contact with humans. Thanks to its padded and hairy claws, the Lynx can sneak up on prey.

Although caracals can attack if threatened or trapped, this is very rare. These cats will rather flee from potential danger than fight. It has been proven that caracals can cause the death of small cats and dogs. They can severely hurt children. It would be best if you avoided these wild cats.

Caracal vs Lynx: Diet

Caracals eat meat. They hunt small antelope, birds and rodents. Caracals are no exception. Cats will stalk their prey before they pout. These cats will eat chicken in areas where they live.

Lynx will eat it if roe deer are easily accessible. It depends on where it is located and what kind of food it will eat. It eats small mammals like birds and rodents, in addition to deer. Because of their keen hearing and sight, Lynx can be great hunters.

Caracal vs Lynx – Lifespan

A lynx’s life expectancy is between 10-20 years, regardless of gender. In the wild, caracals live for 10-12 years. They can live up to 17 years in captivity but are still susceptible to diseases.

Caracal vs Lynx Habitat

All over Africa, you can find caracals. They don’t like the savannahs or scrub forests of swampy deserts. They are found primarily in the southern African highlands.

The Lynx is a lonely creature in the northern forests of North America, Europe and Asia. Large numbers of Lynx live in Canada and Alaska’s boreal forests.

Caracal vs Lynx – Habits

Lynxes are nocturnal hunters and rovers and prefer to spend their nights in the woods. Lynxes are active predators, pouncing and stalking their prey. They also wait for them to come to their aid.

Except for breeding and raising kittens, caracals spend most of their time alone. Both males and women exhibit territorial behaviour. Males share territory, while females are their territory’s sole “owner”.

Wrapping up Lynx vs Caracal

Although they look similar and are “wild” cats, the Caracal is still a separate species. They eat food the same way, despite having different habitats and behaviour. It’s possible not to be able to distinguish the differences between them when you are out in the wild. The Caracal doesn’t have these markings, contrary to the Lynx, which has spots and scars on its fur. This is the main difference between them.