The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of mammary glands, the presence of hair or fur; specialized teeth; the presence of a neocortex region in the brain; and endothermic or 'warm-blooded' bodies. The brain regulates endothermic and circulatory system, including a four-chambered heart. In India there are 410 species, 186 genera, 45 families and 13 orders of which nearly 89 species are listed as threatened in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Animals (IUCN 2006).

The caracal (Caracal caracal) is a medium-sized wild cat that is around one metre (3.3 ft) long. The caracal is native to Africa, Central Asia, Southwest Asia and India. The caracal is often referred to as the desert lynx, although the black tufts are the only characteristic shared with the lynx. Caracals are nocturnal hunters. It inhabits woodlands, savannas, semi-deserts, and scrub forests, and prefers arid habitats with lower rainfall and some coverage.

IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC) Photo: Inkbacker