What is a caracal?

Some of you out there may be unfamiliar with the caracal. So for you - and please forgive me if I am telling you what you already know - here is a brief description.
The caracal is the largest of the small cats in Africa (the small cats are a group made up of 30 species of the genus Felis). It can range in size from 6-19 kg with the males being larger and more heavily built than the females. Different populations also vary in size and colour is also variable ranging from tawny to reddish brown. Its most distinctive feature though is its large black ears (the word caracal comes from the Turkish karakulak or 'black ear') which are topped with dark tufts resembling those of the lynx. Despite appearances though it is not closely related to the lynx. It has long legs and a tail which is about one third of its body length. It is a solitary cat, except for females with kittens and mating encounters, and litter sizes range from one to four kittens. It is also mainly nocturnal, although in areas where there is less human disturbance it may sometimes be active during daylight hours. The caracal's natural prey species are small to medium-sized antelope, small carnivores, rabbits and hares, rodents and birds.
In southern Africa the caracal is also known to take livestock (mainly sheep and goats) and as a result is heavily persecuted by small stock farmers.