Conservation Status: Least Concern

Scientific Name: Lynx Canadensis

The Canada lynx is a medium-sized wild cat with long hind legs. They inhabit Canada and the United States, mostly in forested areas.

The cat’s face has a fur fringe with black, tufted ears. Their paws are also covered in thick fur and act like snowshoes, helping the cat move fast and easily through the snow. The cat looks like a bobcat, but they have longer tufts and a black tip on their tail. The bobcat also has shorter legs and smaller feet.

They hunt at twilight or at night when their primary prey, the snowshoe hare, is most active.

About the Canada Lynx

Physical Appearance

The cat has a thick silver and brown coat with dense fur around its face and black tufted (hair attached at the base with loose upper ends) ears. It is more than twice the size of a domestic cat.  The front legs of the cat are shorter than the back legs. During the summer months, the cat’s coat is red-brown with some grey. In the winter, the grey increases. The cat has a white underbelly, and broad paws covered with thick fur.

Territory

The Canada lynx can be found throughout North America, including Canada, Alaska and down to New Mexico in the United States. Large populations can be found in Oregon, Washington, Montana and Wyoming. It is rare to find one in New England, Minnesota or Utah.

Hunting and Prey

The Canada lynx ProjectAlthough the Canada lynx is mostly a nocturnal animal like its prey, the snowshoe hare, it can also be seen during the day. The cat will travel up to 6 miles to find food. It hunts mostly on flat land, but can also climb trees to escape predators. The Canada lynx will also prey on squirrels, voles, moles, ducks, and young sheep, deer and reindeer. They use sight and sound to find prey, and will eat what they catch immediately, or over a few days.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Females are pregnant for about 64 days. Litters are born in a den that is usually located in thick brush. There are one to four kittens in a litter. The eyes of the kittens at birth are blue, but became a hazel-brown as they get older. Kittens begin hunting at around seven to nines months of age. Canada lynx live up to 14 years in captivity, but their lifespan in the wild is unknown.

Conservation

The conservation status of the Canada lynx is Least Concern. However, its population has declined in several areas due to habitat loss. The cat is also hunted for its fur. It has been designated a Threatened species in the southern-most 48 states.

 

Here is an amazing video of two male Canada lynx chasing and screaming at each other during mating season.  Canadian photographer Amos Wiebe filmed the encounter.