praxidike

"Beyond their jumping ability, a more obvious characteristic of the caracal is its large ears, complete with long, black tufts at the end. (Lilly's tufts are just beginning to grow, but they'll be much larger when she reaches adulthood.) In fact, the word "caracal" comes from a Turkish word, karakulak, which means black ear. Researchers are unsure about the purpose for these tassels, but theories abound. One suggests that they act as a camouflaging device in tall grass; another holds that they act as antennae to help caracals hear; and still another (the most widely accepted explanation, according to the San Diego Zoo) suggests that they are used to help caracals communicate."