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Home > Coniferous Forest Animals > Canada Lynx (Canadian Lynx)

Canada Lynx (Canadian Lynx)

Canada lynx also called the Canadian lynx is a mid-sized cat species ranging across northern parts of the United States, as well as Canada, and Alaska. With a well-developed body and long legs, its hind limbs being a touch longer than the forelimbs, the Canada lynx has a somewhat arched appearance. Similar to other lynx species, these predatory cats have long, dense fur, ruffed face, triangular ears tipped with tufts of hair, and a short, thick tail.

Canada Lynx Range

Canada Lynx Range

Canada Lynx

Canada Lynx

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Carnivora
Family Felidae
Genus Lynx
Scientific Name Lynx canadensis
Canada Lynx Images

Canada Lynx Images

Canada Lynx Pictures

Canada Lynx Pictures

Quick Information

Similar Species Bobcat, Iberian Lynx, Eurasian Lynx
Other Names North American Lynx, Arctic Lynx, Lynx du Canada (French), Lince del Canada (Spanish)
Size Head-body length: 31-39 in (80-100 cm)
Height at the shoulder: 19-22 in (48-56 cm)
Weight 11-40 lb (5-18 kg)
Color Reddish brown/grayish coat in summer but silvery/buff gray in winter; black hair tufts, some mottled, dark spots on the underbelly; dark rings on the tail, which is black at the tip
Distribution From Canadian Arctic treeline, through much of Canada, mainland Alaska, into some northern territories of the contiguous USA
Habitat Cool, moist boreal coniferous forests
Lifespan About 14 years in captivity
Diet Carnivorous; primarily feeds on snowshoe hares; during scarcity of hares, preys on moles, red squirrels, ducks, grouse, voles, ptarmigan, reindeer, mule deer, and Dall’s sheep
Sounds Growls, screams or yowls, and calls to communicate with kittens
Adaptations The black ear tufts enhance its excellent hearing; its long canines are laced with nerves that help it in sensing the position of bite while catching prey; the four carnassials facilitate in cutting meat into pieces; broad paws with widely spaced metatarsals allow it to run easily and swiftly on the snow
Diseases Rabies, distemper
Size of litter 1-4 kittens; larger litters are possible with abundance in prey
Weight at birth 6.2-8.3 oz (175-235 g)
Gestation Period 64 days
Predators/Competition Wolves, coyotes, cougars
IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern
Why is it endangered Habitat destruction, illegal hunting for fur, climate change, increase in snowmobile traffic
Canadian Lynx Cat

Canadian Lynx Cat

Canadian Lynx Face

Canadian Lynx Face

Behavior

Canadian lynxes are solitary animals, engaging in social interaction only during the breeding season. Primarily active at night, these lynxes can travel 8-9 km every day in search of prey, covering the distance at a fair pace of 0.75-1.46 km/h.

Although they are excellent climbers and can easily evade large predators by climbing up on trees, they prefer to hunt on land. The prey is either eaten immediately or cached in leaves or snow. They sometimes scavenge on ungulates that have died in the cold.

Canadian Lynx

Canadian Lynx

Lynx Canada

Lynx Canada

Mating and Reproduction

The Canadian lynx breeds during March-May, its mating season lasting only a month. During this period, the female enters its estrus once, which lasts for 3-5 days. After spraying urine where a male has already marked its territory, the female gives repeated mating calls to attract the male. A female lynx will have only one mate each season whereas a male may have multiple breeding partners. The female gives birth in May/June after it has prepared its maternal den in thick bush, woody debris, or inside dense shrubs.

Canadian Lynx Cub

Canadian Lynx Cub

Canadian Lynx Kitten

Canadian Lynx Kitten

Canadian Lynx Kittens

Canadian Lynx Kittens

Life Cycle

The lynx kittens are born blind and helpless, and they remain so until 14 days after birth. They are introduced to adult diet by their mother at 12 weeks. While having food, the baby lynxes play and practice their hunting skills. They start hunting on their own at 7-9 months of age and leave their mother at 10 months when the next mating season begins. Although the female lynxes become sexually matured at 10 months, they delay breeding for the next year. On the other hand, the males attain maturity at 2-3 years.

Canadian Lynx Pictures

Canadian Lynx Pictures

Canadian Lynx Size

Canadian Lynx Size

Interesting Facts

  • The Canadian lynx is a great swimmer, as it has been reported to swim several kilometers across the Yukon River.
  • They exhibit a reproductive flexibility, as the females do not mate when there is food scarcity, especially when fewer snowshoe hares are available.
  • Starting in 1999, the population of wild lynxes has been effectively reintroduced into Colorado.
Canadian Lynx Paws

Canadian Lynx Paws

Canadian Lynx Pet

Canadian Lynx Pet

Arctic Lynx

Arctic Lynx

References:

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_lynx
  2. https://defenders.org/wildlife/canada-lynx
  3. https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Canada-Lynx
  4. https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Canada-Lynx
  5. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12518/101138963

Published on July 26th 2016 by admin under Coniferous Forest Animals.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2022.

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