Muscat – Omani researchers have documented the first recorded instance of an Arabian caracal preying on a white-tailed mongoose in the mountains of Dhofar. The camera trap image from Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve sheds new light on the predatory behaviour and diet of this elusive feline species.

Published by International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Felidae magazine, the report highlights the significance of this finding. Dr Hadi bin Muslim al Hakmani, a member of the research team, said, “These observations enhance our understanding of the predatory behaviour and diet of this type of medium-sized feline, indicating that this animal has not been sufficiently studied in the Arabian Peninsula.”

Despite its widespread distribution across the Arabian Peninsula, the caracal remains poorly understood, with only two studies previously conducted on its behaviour and diet. The most recent study – in 2006 – relied on analysing caracal droppings in the United Arab Emirates and Musandam Peninsula.

Classified globally as of ‘least concern’ by IUCN, the caracal  is considered endangered in the Arabian Peninsula. Regional assessments reveal that the caracal faces various threats, including habitat change due to agriculture and desertification in Africa, and habitat loss from paved roads and human settlements in the Arabian Peninsula.

Field surveys in Dhofar showed the caracal preys on several small mammals, including rodents and rock hyraxes. Documentation of the caracal hunting the white-tailed mongoose adds a new dimension to the understanding of its diet and predatory strategies.

“Caracals depend on an abundance of natural prey for survival, and changes in prey abundance can directly affect their survival strategies and population dynamics,” Hakmani explained. “This discovery provides crucial information for environmental agencies focused on protecting and re-establishing the caracal in the region.”

Its name derives from the Turkish ‘karakulak’ (black ear) in reference to its distinctive tufted ears, often drawing comparisons to a lynx.