Reproduction of the caracal Felis caracal from the Cape Province of South Africa

Abstract

Reproduction of the caracal was studied using captive animals, field observations and gross and histological examination of male and female reproductive organs. Mating behaviour was similar to that previously reported for the felids and the mean gestation length was 79 days. The mean litter size was 2,2 for captive animals and wild killed pregnant females carried between one.and three foetuses. Age at puberty for males and females was between seven and ten months, and first successful copulations occurred at between 12 and 14 months. Births occurred throughout the year with a pronounced peak in summer. Spermatogenesis was aseasonal with a reduction in reproductive activity in winter.