Introducing what may very well be the cutest cat species in the world: the Caracal.

But don’t let their cute tufted and pointed ears fool you. They’re solitary creatures and skilled predators, just like many of their big cat relatives.

But just look at those ears! Caracals look like something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book.

They live in regions of Africa, the Middle East, and some parts of South East Asia that are wooded and semi-arid. They’re so fast that they can take down birds as they’re mid-takeoff, and have a varied diet that includes everything from rodents to antelope.

They’re ambitious little things, and don’t sky away from preying on animals bigger than themselves.

These sharp predators also just happen to be the cutest and most beautiful wild cats around!

They look like adorable domesticated cats, and trust me, I understand your urge to own one – same. I just looked up the price and everything. But not only are they not cheap, they’re still wild animals!

Just like other big cats such as tigers and lions, many countries (and even some states) require a license to own a Caracal. Lions are banned in twenty one states and require a license in all the others, while Caracals aren’t always included on the list of big cats.

It’s somewhat of a legal grey area when it comes to exotic pet ownership. But they are still more commonly adopted than other big cats because of their size. They almost look like they could be domesticated.

An average Caracal weighs about 26 lbs, while a lion, for example, weighs around 330 lbs! So you can see why adventurous pet owners are interested in trying to domestic these smaller wild cats.

But really, no matter how strikingly beautiful they are, they don’t belong in captivity of any kind.

They won’t be happy unless they can use their instincts to hunt down a wild antelope or elusive hare, and most people don’t have those roaming around in their backyards.

Fortunately, we can still admire these adorable wild cats from afar.

And you’re in for a treat. If you thought the fully grown cats were cute, just wait until you see the cubs!

Look at those eyes!

They’re like blue, blue glass. I would do anything to look like this cat.

These beautiful creatures are naturally good at camouflage for their environments.

Among the arid African Savannah plains, their light brown coats blend in perfectly.

Because Caracals are naturally solitary creatures, they only live with their mothers for up to one year. They grow up so fast!

They’re generally born in litters of one to six kittens and are raised together.

They start to open those big blue eyes within the first day or two of their lives, much earlier than domestic cats, who take about seven to ten days.

Caracal cubs nurse until they are about ten weeks old, and then learn to hunt and survive by following the example of their fierce mothers.

After that, they’re free to roam the vast landscapes on their own.

Their eyes almost look marble-like.

The piercing blue color tends to change over time as they get older, but even a fully grown Caracal still has something mesmerizing about their appearance.

If these wild cats somehow become domesticated and it’s ethical to own one, my name will be first on the list! This is the medicine we all need for a quick “aww” moment pick me up.

They’re just too cute!

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Source: Big Cat Rescue, a-z animals, Life with Catman, Bored Panda