Feeding behaviour of the caracal Felis caracal Schreber 1776 in the Mountain Zebra National Park

Abstract

A total of 21 caracal kills were recorded in the Mountain Zebra National Park of which 15 were mountain reedbuck. In 200 scats analysed, mammals made up 93,8% of the prey species identified, birds 5,3% and reptiles 0,9%. Cape dassies (53,3%) and mountain reedbuck (19,6%) were the most common prey items in the scats. The way in which prey is eaten, food consumption and hunting behaviour are discussed.