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Caracals are wild animals that should never be kept as pets for any reason. The only reason they should be in captivity is to preserve their lives, and only under professional care in zoos, wildlife rehabilitation conservation organizations, etc. These wild cats thrive in their natural environment and have no desire to be your pet cat. Even though they might look cute and cuddly, they are anything but.
People touting keeping these beautiful creatures of nature in a domestic setting should not be praised, as it is not in the animal’s best interest at all. There are many reasons why caracals should not be kept as pets, not least of which is the fact that, in most areas, it is against the law. Let’s take a closer look at why these beautiful creatures should be admired from afar, and not forced to live as a pet.
Caracals Are Wild Animals
Caracals (species name Caracal caracal) are felines ready for a fight. These beautiful creatures are fearsome carnivores who thrive in roles of hunting, and they tend to be very solitary in nature. Animals like this do not make good pets whatsoever. Even those that have been raised in zoos or alongside humans are not domesticated felines, but wild animals in captivity, which is an important distinction.
Caracals are a specialized species that have particular dietary and habitat requirements that cannot be met by a pet owner, and forcing them to live in the confines of a home or enclosure is unfair to them, and dangerous to the people who keep them. They might resemble our feline pets, but they are separated from cats by thousands of years of domestication.
Why Do Some People Want to Keep Caracals as Pets?
People are people—we try to domesticate all sorts of things that we really have no business domesticating. From big cats like tigers to intelligent primates—we want to conquer all. Some people are even brave enough to have alligators living in their homes like dogs.
In theory, the ownership of wild animals seems fun, and even cool. But if we stop to think about it—what benefit does that have to the animal? You are taking the creature out of its natural habitat, and forcing it to try to be “tame” which is essentially making them something they are not.
Caracals are meant to be caracals—wild and free. They are meant to explore the great unknown and chase down prey. They are not meant to be bathed in a tub and marked with a collar and tags.
Some caracals might be in captivity due to injury, illness, or other means of rehabilitation. Sometimes, these creatures can be returned to the wild—other times, they cannot. Unless a person has a wildlife license and it is in the best interest of the animal’s health and safety, they really shouldn’t be kept in captivity or domesticated.
Legalities of Keeping a Caracal as a Pet
In most areas, you need a license to own one of these cats. Every state looks at wildlife ownership differently. Some ban the practice, others require hefty fees and licensure, and others have loose laws that don’t so much specify what is and isn’t allowed. It really just depends on where you live whether or not it is legal. However, even if it is technically legal, it still doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.
Some people feel that it is their right to own wild and exotic creatures like the caracal, but that doesn’t give much consideration to the rights of the caracal.
The Exotic Pet Trade Is Horrendous
Many people buy exotic animals without understanding exactly where they came from. The exotic pet trade is by no means an ethical or moral trade, and the animal’s best interest certainly doesn’t come first.
Many of these animals are confiscated from the wild through illegal means and put into a trade where people are only looking to benefit from them financially. The exotic pet trade is a multi-million dollar industry and most of the animals die in transit before they ever even reach their destination. Often, in order to obtain young wild animals, the mother, or even the whole family group, will be killed to access their babies.
When we purchase these animals, we are only aiding in the continuance of this horrible practice. If you love animals, purchasing exotic pets with a sketchy back story certainly is not the way to show your adoration.
About the Caracal
If you need further reasons why a caracal is not a good pet, here’s a little bit about their lives in the wild that you likely wouldn’t be able to accommodate in your home.
A caracal is a stunning, medium-sized cat hailing from Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. They can also be found in areas of Pakistan and India. These cats go by other names, such as the Desert Lynx.
Diet
Caracals are extremely efficient carnivorous felines. They stalk and kill their prey and are known for being extremely efficient hunters. Their diet primarily consists of smaller animals such as rodents, birds, and baby antelope.
Habitat
Caracals are adapted to a variety of different habitats. Typically they live in scrub forests, woodlands, or savannahs, but avoid sandy deserts.
Social Behaviors
Caracals are nocturnal animals that are very solitary and secretive. When cornered or when necessary, they can be highly aggressive animals, with powerful and sharp teeth and claws. In their natural setting, they are hunted because they are problematic to farmers, so they now steer clear of most populated areas.
Caracals can make all sorts of odd vocalizations. If you have ever seen any videos on social media of caracals, you will notice that they hiss a lot! They also make an interesting number of other vocalizations and always appear to be alert and on the lookout. When placed in captive environments like zoos, they often engage in ‘stereotypic’ behaviors like pacing and are even less settled in home environments. Being solitary creatures by nature, they do not do well sharing their space with other creatures.
Conclusion
With their exotic looks, pointy black ears, and russet-colored coats, we can understand why some people may be tempted by the idea of bringing one home. Unfortunately, social media platforms have made it seem like a good idea, but we can assure you that it is not.
Domestic cats have undergone many changes over thousands of years in their behavior, physiology, and temperaments to make them well-adapted to living with humans. Placing a wild feline like the caracal, even one that has been raised in captivity, is nothing like keeping a pet cat. These beautiful creatures are born to live in the wild, and keeping them as pets is dangerous for humans and cruel for the animals.
By buying into the purchase and trade of wild animals, even if done so through legal channels, you are financing the illicit wildlife trade, which relies on the unethical actions of others to bring these wild animals into captive hands. If you’re looking for feline companionship, look no further than the domesticated Felis catus, and admire the wild Caracal from afar.
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Featured Image Credit: Sfax D.C, Shutterstock
