Overview
A distinctive, medium-sized cat with a short tail, tufted ears, pronounced cheek ruffs, comparatively long legs and large feet. Relatively smaller than its european counterpart. The coat is commonly a yellowish-brown frosted with gray, with the underparts buff. The winter coat is long, soft and thick. Paws are thickly furred for walking in snow.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Carnivora
- Family
- Felidae
- Genus
- Lynx
Habitat
Tall forest with dense undergrowth, but also open forest, rocky areas and tundra. Distribution- Tall forest with dense undergrowth, but also open forest, rocky areas and tundra. Northern North America, where it is found throughout Alaska and most of Canada. Also in northern Washington, northern Idaho, western Montana and elsewhere in other parts of the northern United States. In southern parts of its range, its distribution overlaps that of its close relative the bobcat, which replaces it in the rest of the United States and in Mexico.
Diet
Hunts mainly by sight. Preys mostly on the snowshoe, or varying, hare (Lepus americanus), but also on rodents, birds and fish. During periods of deep snow in winter, will kill deer and sometimes even larger animals. Does not eat carrion.
Behavior
Solitary except when breeding. Probably territorial. Mates during February and March. The female has one litter a year, usually with 2-3 kittens (range is 1-5) that remain with her until the following winter. Lifes pan as much as 11 years in captivity. Mainly nocturnal, but does hunt and travel during the day, particularly in the far north where it is mostly daylight during summer. A good swimmer, sometimes crossing large rivers. A poor runner, but walks tirelessly and climbs trees well. Good eyesight, well-developed hearing, and adequate sense of smell.
Hunting
Traditionally a furbearing animal that is trapped during the winter when its fur is prime; however, it is also a demanding game animal when hunted. Only lynx that have been hunted, not trapped, will be accepted for publication in the Record Book. They are often hunted by using hounds to tree the animal. Often treed when trying to hunt mountain lion.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.