Caracal vs Lynx: What Are 8 Key Differences?

By md.admin Last updated Jul 3, 2022

Caracal vs Lynx: A Comparison

Caracals differ majorly from lynx in appearance and lifespan.

A-Z-Animals.com

	Caracal	Lynx
Size	16–18 Inches Tall, 24–42 Inches long, 7.9–9.8-Inch Tail.	Iberian Lynx Females: 20 lbs. / 23-27 In. long Long. Eurasian Lynx: 40 To 66lb / 27 In. Long
Colors	Tawny Or Reddish Gold Coat White Chin, Throat, Underbelly, Black Tuft	Medium Brown – Gold White. White On Chests, Bellies, Insides Legs
Physical Features	Slender Yet Muscular Physique, Small Face, Big Teeth, Pointed Tufted Ears, Long Legs	Speckled / Blotched Coats, Tufted Ears, Hairy Soles, Broad Head, Long Legs, And Huge Paws
Danger	Will Attack If Threatened, Rarely Attack Humans; Extremely Deadly To Small Animals	Unfriendly / Extremely Dangerous; Usually Avoid Humans, May Attack If Threatened
Diet	Carnivorous: Birds, Rodents, Tiny Antelopes	Varies Depending On Habitat; Roe Deer, Red Deer, Birds, Rabbits, Hares, Rats, Foxes, Etc.
Lifespan	12- 17yrs	12 to 20 years
Habitats	Prefer Wooded Areas, Savannahs, And Scrub Woods	Wet, Boreal Woodlands With Cold, Snowy Winters
Habits	Solitary Except For Mating, Both Sexes Have Territorial Home Ranges	Solitary Animals, More Active At Night

Caracal vs Lynx: A Comparison

Key Differences Between Caracal vs Lynx

The key differences between a caracal and a lynx are size, color, physical features, danger, habitat, lifespan, and diet.

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Caracal vs Lynx: Size

The average female Iberian lynx weighs about 21 pounds. The Iberian lynx ranges in length from 23- 27 inches. The Eurasian lynx is the biggest, ranging 27 inches in length and weighing between 40 to 66 pounds.

The shoulder height of a caracal is 16–18 inches, and its length is 24–42 inches, with its 7.9–9.3-inch tail. An adult caracal can weigh between 20 – 40 pounds.

Caracal vs Lynx: Colors

Medium brown to goldish white is the range of the lynx’s body color. On their chests, bellies, and inner legs, all lynx species have white fur. Depending on the climate, the color, length, and size of lynxes’ hair, as well as their paws, will vary.

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The caracal has a tawny or reddish-gold coat with a white chin, throat, and abdomen. The coat is flecked with brown and black, and forms a collar around the neck, a black tail tip, and ear tufts.

Caracal vs Lynx: Physical Features

isolated eurasian lynx — The lynx is either speckled or blotched.

iStock.com/GlobalP

The lynx is speckled and blotched, while the caracal is not. Lynx have big paws, tufts on their ears, and hairy soles. They also have long legs and paws.

The caracal is a short-tailed, long-legged cat with black tufts on its pointed ears. Medium-sized caracals have lengthy legs and a short tail. They appear muscular and have small heads. The Caracal’s huge, pointed, black-tufted ears resemble a crown.

Caracal vs Lynx: Danger

Given their size and the amount of food they require to survive every day, lynx seek and devour large species. Lynx aren’t sociable. Rather, they’re unfriendly and dangerous, making domestication difficult. All lynx will fight back violently when cornered; however, they typically avoid human interaction. The lynx’s padded, hairy claws let it sneak up on prey.

Caracals can attack if cornered and threatened, but this is extremely rare. These cats would sooner escape from a potential threat than fight. Caracals have been known to kill tiny dogs and cats. They can hurt youngsters severely. It is best to stay far away from either of these wild cats!

Caracal vs Lynx: Diet

Types of wild cats - Caracal — Caracals stalk their prey and are carnivores.

iStock.com/StuPorts

Caracals are meat-eaters. They go after tiny antelope, birds, and rodents. Cats stalk their prey before pouncing, and caracals are no exception. Chicken is sometimes eaten by these cats in regions where people reside.

When roe deer is readily accessible, lynx species will eat it. However, the type of food it eats depends on where it lives. In addition to deer, it feeds on a variety of small mammals such as birds and rodents. Lynx are great hunters because of their keen senses of hearing and sight.

Caracal vs Lynx: Lifespan

Eurasian lynx sitting in woods — The Eurasian lynx has some of the longest lifespans among lynx species.

Tomas Hulik ARTpoint/Shutterstock.com

The average life expectancy of a lynx, whether male or female, is 10–20 years. Caracals in the wild typically live 10 to 12 years. Although they can live for up to 17 years in captivity, they are nonetheless vulnerable to disease.

Caracal vs Lynx: Habitat

Caracals can be found all over Africa. Swampy deserts are not as appealing to them as forested environments, savannahs, or scrub forests. They are primarily found in the southern African highlands.

In the far northern forests of North America, Europe, and Asia, the lynx lives in solitude. The boreal forests of Alaska and Canada are home to large populations of lynx.

Caracal vs Lynx: Habits

Lynx are nocturnal hunters and rovers who like to spend most of their time in the woods at night. Actively stalking and pouncing on their prey, as well as waiting for them to come to them, is how lynxes go about their business.

Caracals spend most of their time alone, except for mating and raising kittens. Territorial behavior is evident in both males and females. Males share territory with multiple other males, whereas a female is the only “owner” of her own territory.

Wrapping Up Caracal vs Lynx

Caracals do not have any spots or blotches on their coat.

Shaun MItchem / Creative Commons

Even though they are both “wild” cats and have appearances that are similar, the caracal and the lynx are still two separate species. Although they have slightly different habitats and behaviors, they both consume food in similar ways. When you’re out in the wilderness, it’s possible that you won’t be able to discern the difference between the two. The caracal does not have any spots or blotches on its coat, in contrast to the lynx, which has these markings on its fur. This is one of the most prominent differences between the two.

About the Author

Jennifer Gaeng

A substantial part of my life has been spent as a writer and artist, with great respect to observing nature with an analytical and metaphysical eye. Upon close investigation, the natural world exposes truths far beyond the obvious. For me, the source of all that we are is embodied in our planet; and the process of writing and creating art around this topic is an attempt to communicate its wonders.

Caracal vs Lynx: A Comparison

	Caracal	Lynx
Size	16–18 Inches Tall, 24–42 Inches long, 7.9–9.8-Inch Tail.	Iberian Lynx Females: 20 lbs. / 23-27 In. long Long. Eurasian Lynx: 40 To 66lb / 27 In. Long
Colors	Tawny Or Reddish Gold Coat White Chin, Throat, Underbelly, Black Tuft	Medium Brown – Gold White. White On Chests, Bellies, Insides Legs
Physical Features	Slender Yet Muscular Physique, Small Face, Big Teeth, Pointed Tufted Ears, Long Legs	Speckled / Blotched Coats, Tufted Ears, Hairy Soles, Broad Head, Long Legs, And Huge Paws
Danger	Will Attack If Threatened, Rarely Attack Humans; Extremely Deadly To Small Animals	Unfriendly / Extremely Dangerous; Usually Avoid Humans, May Attack If Threatened
Diet	Carnivorous: Birds, Rodents, Tiny Antelopes	Varies Depending On Habitat; Roe Deer, Red Deer, Birds, Rabbits, Hares, Rats, Foxes, Etc.
Lifespan	12- 17yrs	12 to 20 years
Habitats	Prefer Wooded Areas, Savannahs, And Scrub Woods	Wet, Boreal Woodlands With Cold, Snowy Winters
Habits	Solitary Except For Mating, Both Sexes Have Territorial Home Ranges	Solitary Animals, More Active At Night

Caracal vs Lynx: A Comparison