There are three species of Lynx’s, The Canadian lynx (aka North American lynx), which lives in the upper parts of the U.S., the Eurasian lynx that lives in parts of Europe and the Soviet Union, and the Spanish lynx lives in southern Spain and parts of Portugal. All used to be much more widely distributed. The lynx is related to the bobcat and caracal.
The Canadian lynx is usually gray or light brown with faint spotting, the Eurasian lynx is gray to yellow gray, and the Spanish lynx has the most defined spots and the most spots. All have short stubby black-tipped tails, black tufts on the ears, facial ruff, and broad paws.
Their body length varies from 25-52 inches (65-130cm) that’s including their tail length of about 4-10 inches (11-24cm). They are about 18-30 inches (45-75cm) tall at the shoulder. They weigh an average of 15 to 25 pounds (6-11 kilograms). The Lynx’s fur is dense, soft, and about 4 inches (10cm) long, which keeps them warm. Their huge feet serve as snowshoes in the winter and they can run really fast on the snow. They usually hunt by night and prey on birds and small mammals and sometimes deer. The Canadian lynx preys mostly on hares, the Eurasian lynx on larger prey such as deer more often then the other lynxs, the Spanish lynx feeds on rabbits and waterfowl. They are good climbers and swimmers.
Lynx breed between December and April and give birth after a gestation period of about 2 months with 1 to 4 young. Their den is usually in a cave, under the upturned roots of a fallen tree, in a hollow log or under a ledge. After about 10 days the kittens open their eyes. They stay with their mothers for a year. A Lynxs lifespan is about 15 years.
Scientific name for the Eurasian lynx is Lynx, lynx, The Canadian lynx is Lynx canadensis, and the Spanish lynx is Lynx pardinus.
For more pictures go to Lynx Gallery
