Is it Legal to have a Caracal Cat as a Pet?

Have you heard about the Caracal Cat pet? If it doesn’t sound familiar, if you see this cat in a photo, you would remember seeing it somewhere. Probably on the Internet, because it’s a really popular cat breed. It looks magnificent and everyone who sees it wants to know more about it, or try having it in their own home. Keep on reading to find out more about these wild cats that can be found in the USA as well.

The Caracal cats fit in the category big cats and in some countries they are illegal.

What are Caracal Cats?

Do you know some Caracal facts? Well, let me tell you more about them. Its origin is from the deserts and savannahs of Africa, Central Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula. The name Caracal means “a black ear” and it comes from the Turkish word “karakalak“. The Caracal cats are actually wild but can be domesticated. Caracal cat pet is actually a very playful and friendly cat.

Is it Legal to Have a Caracal Cat as a Pet?

Caracal cats are part of the small exotic cats which are kept as pets in the USA. However, in some places having this cat as a pet is illegal. So, let’s start with the USA – not every state has the same regulation. In Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Montana, Rhode Island, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Mississippi, Indiana, Missouri, Maine, and Pennsylvania you can get a license to own the Caracal Cat. This means that in all other states it is illegal to have them as pets.

Having in mind that the Caracal cat is a big cat, the regulations for owning big cats apply in the rest of the countries in the world.

Interesting Facts About Caracal Cats

The Caracal cat is a unique cat that is also referred to as desert lynx, Persian lynx, or even gazelle cat. The most distinctive feature on their bodies is the long tufts of black hair on their ears and the “eyeliner” under their eyes. Usually, caracal cats have a reddish color of their fur and lighter fur on their belly. They are really beautiful cats and have an aristocratic posture. Extremely rare are the black versions of the caracals and they can appear in a litter with regular-colored caracal cats.

Caracals have strong muscles and come across as the sports type of cat. Their hind legs are longer than the front which allows them to leap very high and therefore they are very fast. These cats are carnivores and in the wild, they eat small animals, rodents, rabbits and can even be seen eating a larger animal such as an antelope or a goat. One thing to have in mind if you consider having a caracal cat as a pet is that these animals will not initiate affection and can be very destructive. Moreover, caracals usually communicate by hissing which is not a very affectionate approach.

Caracal Cats Are Solitary Animals

In the wild, caracal cats can be spotted wandering around alone and mostly at night. In the period of the breeding season, they usually find a mate for a day or two, but after the mating, the female caracal leaves. Females usually search for some caves or borrow to hide while they are pregnant and stay there until they give birth to kittens. Caracals usually give birth to 2 to 4 caracal kittens and they are born with eyes closed and ears curled up.

In ancient Egypt, these cats were seen as prized creatures and were kept on jeweled collars. Caracals were also considered gifts for nobility and guests.

As of today, caracal cats are considered wild animals, despite the fact that some people have them in their homes. As we mentioned before, there are different regulations in the USA, and in some states, it is actually legal to own a caracal cat as a pet. In other countries in the world, it’s different.

So, check the regulations in your country and find out if you can have a Caracal Cat pet. In the meantime, enjoy these pictures of beautiful caracals.