North American Lynx (Lynx canadensis)
The northern lynx is a large cat with a powerful body, short, sturdy legs, and a very short tail. It has a large head with side whiskers and large tufted ears. Its coat is yellowish-brown fading to white on its undersides, and may be spotted with dark brown: the presence of spots and the spotting pattern varies considerably between subspecies. The northern lynx may be found in the pine forests and thick scrub south of the arctic in North America, Europe and Asia, where it hunts by night, from the ground, and seeks rodents, birds, fish, small deer, goats, and sheep.
The Eurasian or Northern lynx (Lynx lynx) is generally much larger than its Canadian counterpart and in coloration and marking, more noticeably spotted - although this varies extensively with its location. The Eurasian lynx was once found in the forested areas throughout most of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. However today the range of the cat has been drastically reduced in Europe and they are only to be found in some of the northern countries, parts of Greece and Czechoslovakia. Recently the cat has been reintroduced to parts of Germany, Switzerland and Austria, where it is beginning to re-establish. In these areas though, local farmers and game hunters are suggesting that the cat is competing for farm animals and deer population - monitoring of the lynx by conservation authorities in these areas continues to gain more information on the cats hunting behaviour and the debate, which is common in areas were the interests of wild cat populations is at odds with local inhabitants, seems set to continue. Further to the east, across Asia, the lynx has a stronger foot hold and are also found in rocky terrain away from forested areas. In general the Eurasian lynx is not so dependent on hare and rabbit as their main source of prey as their North American counterpart, the Canadian lynx. In various studies, deer have been seen to form the major part of the eurasian lynx diet -but in summer months the intake of rabbits increases - again as with the canadian lynx, female lynx seem to take less deer than males.
Body Length(mm) -800-1300
Weight (kg) - 18-35
Litter Size - 1-5 average
Life Span - 17 years
The Spanish Lynx (Lynx pardina)
To some the Spanish lynx is not a valid species but a sub species of the Eurasian lynx, however they are generally smaller than their northern counterparts and their yellow/brown coat is lighter in colour and the spotted markings more noticeable. The main prey of the spanish lynx is, as with its canadian counterpart, various species of hare and rabbit, although deer and wildfowl are also taken.
Less successful than their close neighbours, the Pardel lynx, as it is sometimes known, is now threatened with extinction in its wild habitat. Hunted heavily for its coat and as a predator of livestock, the Spanish lynx is extremely rare and on the Iberian peninsular can only be found in and around the Cota Donana reserve in the south of Spain and in very isolated parts of Portugal. Although the animal is protect in the reserve it is still legal to hunt it elsewhere.
Body Length(mm) -850-1100
Weight (kg) - 15-25
Litter Size - 1-5 average
Life Span - 14 years
Status - Critically Endangered
© 1997 Andrew Garman
Canadian Lynx (Lynx lynx)
Family: Felidae
Order: Carnivora
Class: Mammalia
Phylum: Vertebrata
Physical Features: Broad well furred feet, long legs, coat may be spotted, short tail and long ears with tip tufts, beardlike hair around the cheeks and pupils that constrict to circles rather than spindles.
Size: 30 to 30 inches from head to tail.
Lifespan: Over 21 years in captivity, typically 10 in the wild.
Temperament: Shy, elusive and solitary except during breeding season.
Habitat: Very cold, snowy regions, northern forests, swamps, occasionally tundra. Dens are built in wind fallen trees, rocky crevices or dense shrubbery.
The Montgomery Zoo
Canadian Lynx cont.
Body Length(mm) -900-1100
Weight (kg) - 9-18 (male)
Litter Size - 2-4 average
Life Span - 15 years
Status - Least Concern
The lynx, in its four species has by far the largest range of any of the felids and in as much inhabits the continents on either side of the Atlantic Ocean. In the ‘New World’, the Canadian lynx is found in both Canada and Alaska, as well as in some of the northern states of the USA, where changes in habitat and over hunting have reduced its extent. Lynx found in Newfoundland are sometimes accredited as a subspecies - that of L.c.subsolanus.
As in common with lynx in Europe and Asia the Canadian lynx inhabits mostly forested areas, but can be found in scrub land and tundra to the north. The lynx is distinctive in appearance - with its triangular shaped, tufted ears, thick set body, long hind legs, a short, stumpy tail and large fur covered paws which help carry the cat over deep snow , which is common in much of its range. The body size of the canadian lynx can vary quite considerably - from a little under 2 feet to in excess of four - the canadian species though, as a rule is smaller than the Eurasian Lynx. The coat is spotted, but in the Canadian species, the markings are less distinct than in European and Asian varieties, being almost masked by the thick tawny to grey coloured fur, which is often seen to have a ‘frosted’ appearance due the white tips to its fur.
The lynx is a diurnal hunter and in common with most wild cats, generally stalks prey alone, although group hunting and ambushing has been observed. Although not a timid hunter the lynx will rarely contest its prey if confronted by other carnivores and will leave its prey uneaten. Its prey varies from small rodents through to deer, with the Snowshoe Hare being by far its favoured prey. In certain areas the lynx is so closely tied to the Snowshoe that its population has been seen to rise and fall with that of the hare, even though other food sources may be abundant. In the autumn and winter months the lynx will often scavenge on the carcasses of larger animal such as caribou and deer who have perished with the onset of winter or have been shot during the hunting season. The canadian lynx itself is extensively hunted throughout much of its range.
1997 Andrew Garman
