CARACAL (Lynx caracal), sometimes called Persian lynx, an animal widely distributed throughout south-western Asia and a large portion of Africa. It is somewhat larger than a fox, uniform reddish brown above, and whitish beneath, with two white spots above each of the eyes, and a tuft of long black hair at the tip of the ears. It dwells among grass and bushes. Its prey consists of gazelles, small deer, hares and peafowl and other birds. The caracal is easily tamed and in some parts of India is trained to capture small antelopes, deer and large birds.