Lynx

Lynx

Scientific Classification
Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Carnivora Family Felidae Genus Lynx
Species
L. lynx L. lynx carpathica L. canadensis L. pardinus L. rufus (Bobcat)
Habitat Range

A Lynx is any of several medium-sized wild cats, including the Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx), the Canadian Lynx (Lynx canadensis), the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), and the Bobcat (Lynx rufus). The Lynx native to America are descended from Eurasian ancestors. Today, Lynxes can be found in various places including Canada, Alaska, in the Cascades Range, the Rocky Mountain Range, Spain, Portugal, and The Great Lakes Region. [1] Lynx can live up to 20 years or more. [2] The lynx is the only cat native to Alaska. Lynxes are thought to be shy and unobtrusive animals.“Link” is a local name for Lynx in Alaska and the Yukon. [3]

Anatomy

The Eurasian lynx is the largest of the lynxes; the adult males weigh on average 21.6 kg, while females are slightly smaller at 18.1 kg. They have a short tail, are often mistaken to be bobcats. The Eurasian lynx has relatively long legs, and large feet, which provide a “snowshoe effect”, allowing for the lynx to travel easily through deep, snow in the winter (Fur grows very densely on the bottom of the feet. The coat is gray sort of color with tints ranging from a rusty pigment to a dazzling yellow. [4] Canada lynx have black ear tuft, which makes them easily recognized; they also have flared facial ruff, and a really short tail. [5]

Reproduction

The female lynx starts out by making a den to hide her babies in. The den is typically made from large woody debris and downed logs. She wants there to be overhead protection for the kittens from predators. Lynxes are able to breed at the age of two years old. The actual breeding happens in March or April. The babies come in May or June; the size of the litters can rang from 4-5 kittens a litter. Then after two weeks have passed the baby kittens open their eyes!! [6] The kittens then become independent at around ten months old and then begin reproducing about a year later. [7]

Ecology

The lynxes live in boreal forest ecosystem, sub alpine forest, tundra, southern plains and coastal regions along the Atlantic, deserts, and rocky areas. [8] Lynx prey on mainly large ungulate species, including red deer, reindeer, and argali. Lynx can kill prey up to 3-4 times their own size. [9] The lynx can live in the high altitude forests with dense cover provided by shrubs, reeds and grass. Lynx only hunt on the ground; it can also climb trees and swim. [10] Lynxes territory can range any were from 8 to 800 square kilometers, depending on the gender of the animal, the time of year it is, ether it has enough food or not, and the density of lynx population. [11] The Eurasian lynx prefers deciduous forest or mixed woodlands, with plenty of undergrowth for cover. They are also found throughout the northern slopes of the Himalayas, alpine tundra, and the rocky areas above the tree line. [12]

Behavior

Lynx live in much of Alaska’s forested areas and use many different sorts of habitats, including spruce and hardwood forests. In Alaska there is only one good way to find the best lynx habitat and you'll find it usually after or where fires or other factors have created and maintained a mixture of vegetation types. This provides the best habitat for snowshoe hares and other small prey for the lynx. When the population of the lynxes food declines or dies out all together, the lynxes numbers also decline or die. There are some lynx families/ groups that travel 400 miles or more to find a new territory and food supplies for the adults and babies. There have been some radio collar trackers that prove this such as a radio-collared lynx from the southern Yukon traveled over 400 miles to Chalkyitsik, Alaska. [13]

The lynx is hunted by poachers, for their pelt (fur). The lynx is a very curious cat. It is said that it is not terribly hard to trap a lynx. There are some methods that work better then others such as using bird wings, aluminum foil, catnip, or other scents that a normal house cat would enjoy. [14]