The heaviest of all the small cats, the caracal is relatively short in length, with long legs and big feet. Its hindquarters are more developed than its forequarters.
Males weigh 26 to 40 pounds and are 16 to 20 inches in height. Females weigh 18 to 29 pounds and are 5 to 8 percent smaller.
The caracal's tail measures half the length of its body. Its head is short with powerful jaws.
Caracals have reddish-brown fur on their back and flanks, while their underparts are white with faint spots. They have dark markings on their cheeks and above their eyes edged with white.
The caracal's ears are its most noticeable feature. They are long and slender and topped with long tufts of black fur.
