The European lynx is an elegant predator. Common lynx - description, habitat, lifestyle

Lynx (lat. Lynx) is a genus of animals of the subfamily Small cats, the Feline family, the order Predatory, the class Mammals. The article describes representatives of this genus.

Two other cats, in the name of which there is the word "lynx": caracal (steppe lynx) and reed cat (marsh lynx) do not belong to the lynx genus.

What does the word "lynx" mean?

In languages related to Russian, words close to lynx have the meaning "red", "red". It would seem that the etymology is simple - the name of the beast is given by the red color of the skin. In fact, the common Slavic root rysь goes back to the Indo-European leuk’- “shine”, “burn” (can be compared with the Russian moon, beam). From these roots arose such words as fair-haired, bald (the older meaning, apparently, was “light”, “glowing”, “glossy”). So it turns out that the lynx was so named because its eyes shone, "burned" in the dark. And the red color gave only the initial "p" - already by association with the color.

The lynx has well-developed hearing and vision, but the sense of smell is weak. The tassels on their ears are sound pickup sensors. If the lynx is deprived of this hair, then it will hear much worse.

Approaching the place of lying, the lynx jumps so that its traces are not near the shelter: in this way it imitates its absence. During the day she dozes, but her rest is sensitive, as the predator notices any movements around her.

A wild cat leads a solitary life, carefully monitoring the absence of competitors in the chosen territory.

Females keep with a brood. Only during the breeding season are lynxes found in pairs.

What does a lynx eat?

The prey of a lynx can be any animal that it is able to master:

small mammals (chipmunks, sables, dormice, raccoon dogs, marmots, beavers,);
birds (grouse, hazel grouse, partridge, black grouse, bustard, pheasant);
large animals: roe deer, chamois, musk deer, wild boar, argali, fallow deer, spotted and reindeer;
occasionally a lynx attacks herds of goats and destroys several individuals at a time;
she kills foxes and martens as competitors, and not for food;
Canadian lynx also eats fish, marmots, martens, squirrels, ground squirrels;
red lynx can also eat;
sometimes predators attack small domestic animals and poultry(for example, ).

Taken from: www.lynxexsitu.es, CC BY 3.0 es

With the onset of night, the animal goes hunting. The lynx either waits for prey in an ambush or hides it (that is, it gets as close as possible to the victim in order to overtake it in one jump), but never attacks from a tree. She moves slowly, periodically stopping and listening.

Whenever possible, she follows the beaten path, walking in her old footprints, especially in winter. Sneaks up to prey from the leeward side. The attack begins with one, less often with 3-10 jumps. If the attack is not successful, she will repeat a series of jumps at a short distance, and then stop the pursuit. During the day, the lynx eats 2-3 kg of meat, and if it is very hungry, then up to 5 kg.

Taken from: www.lynxexsitu.es, CC BY 3.0 es

Lynx species, names and photos

The lynx genus includes 4 living species. Below is the classification.

Rod Lynx (lat. Lynx):

Lynx canadensis– Canadian lynx
lynx lynx – common lynx
Lynx pardinus– Pyrenean lynx, Spanish lynx, Sardinian lynx
Lynx Rufus– red lynx, red lynx

In the Pleistocene, the fifth representative of the genus became extinct - the species Lynx issiodorensis, whose remains have been found in Africa, Eurasia and North America.

Below is a description of the four varieties of lynxes.

Common lynx (lat. lynx lynx)

Other names: European, Eurasian. The largest and tallest of the lynxes. The length of her body is 80-130 cm, the length of the tail is from 10 to 24.5 cm, the height of the animal at the withers is 60-75 cm. 21 kg. But this is not the limit: the weight of one male from Siberia reached 38 or even 45 kg.

In summer, the Eurasian lynx has a relatively short, reddish or brown coat, which tends to be more brightly colored in animals living in the southern parts of its range. In winter, the fur becomes thicker, its color varies from silver gray or ash blue to grayish brown. The underside of the animal's body, including the neck and chin, is always white. The fur is usually marked with black spots, but their placement and quantity is highly variable. Some individuals have dark brown stripes on the forehead and back. The species has several subspecies.

The common lynx is the northernmost species of the cat family, living even beyond the Arctic Circle. Lives in forests, tree and shrub thickets, on rocky areas, in deserts, in mountains up to 5500 m above sea level. In Russia, the lynx lives in the zones of the taiga and deaf mixed forests, including mountain ones, sometimes enters the forest-steppe and forest-tundra, is found everywhere, up to Sakhalin and Kamchatka.

Canadian lynx (lat. Lynx canadensis)

Some sources call the Canadian lynx a subspecies of the common lynx. The body length of the animal varies from 67 cm (according to some sources from 80 cm) to 106 cm, tail - 5-15 cm, height at the withers - 48-56 cm, weight - from 4.5 to 11 (according to some sources up to 17, 3 kg). In winter, the lynx's coat is grayish-brown, in summer it is yellowish-brown with small white speckles. Among the representatives of the species there are no melanists and albinos, but an individual with blue hair was seen in Alaska. On the underside of the animal's body, the fur is thicker and lighter. Black hair grows on the edges of the sideburns, on the tail and back of the ears.

Canadian lynxes live in the forests of Alaska, Canada and in the northern regions of the United States to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

Pyrenean, Spanish, or Sardinian lynx (lat. Lynx pardinus)

Other names: Iberian, leopard lynx. Previously, it was considered a small subspecies of the common lynx.

It is an animal with a short body, long legs and b about larger tail than other members of the genus. The body length of males is 65-82 (in some sources up to 100) cm, tail - 12.5-16 (according to some sources 30 cm), height at the withers - 40-70 cm, weight from 7 to 15.9 kg. Females are smaller, their body length ranges from 68 to 75 cm, weight - 9-10 kg. The Pyrenean lynx has a short bright yellow or reddish-brown spotted coat, similar in color to.

Range of the Pyrenean lynx - limited mountainous areas Spain. As early as the middle of the 20th century, its populations ranged from mediterranean sea to Galicia (Western part of Ukraine). By 1960 it had lost 80% of its former range. This is the most rare view lynx, listed in the International Red Book.

The Pyrenean lynx lives in mixed forests, steppes and among rocks. It occurs at an altitude of 400 to 1300 meters above sea level.

Taken from: www.lynxexsitu.es, CC BY 3.0 es

Red Lynx, or red lynx (lat. Lynx Rufus )

This is the smallest lynx among four kinds. The size of the animals, excluding the tail, is 47.5-105 cm (average body length is 82.7 cm), the tail is from 9 to 20 cm, the height at the withers is 30-60 cm, the weight of males is from 6.4 to 18 kg, females - from 4 to 15 kg. The largest animal of this species weighed 27 kg.

The American lynx has shorter legs than other species, and narrow paws, as it does not need to move in deep snow. The muzzle of the animal seems wide due to the looseness of the hair growing on it. The coat color of the lynx is variable, usually grayish brown with black streaks, the underside and sideburns are white with black specks. There is a white mark on the inside of the tip of the tail. There are lynxes completely black and white.

Red bobcats live throughout most of continental North America, from southern Canada to central Mexico. Prefer open spaces habitats, inhabit deserts, savannahs, forests, grassy and shrub steppes. They are found up to 3500 m above sea level. Within the species, there are many subspecies.

If in February - March in the forest you suddenly hear a loud purr, meow or purr, then most likely there is a lynx somewhere nearby. This animal is the largest representative of the cats inhabiting the forests of Europe. This predator will be discussed in this article.
On the European continent, including Russia, a species of common lynx lives. It is also called Eurasian or European.

Body length can reach 125 cm, height - no more than 75 cm. Weight of adult animals - from 18 to 26 kg. Females are smaller than males. The tail is short, but fluffy - no more than 25 cm.

Lynx fur is very warm and thick, especially in winter period. Its skin is highly valued and is not inferior in quality to the fur of fur-bearing animals. The color of the coat may vary depending on the region of habitat. There are lynxes with an unusually beautiful smoky color with dark spots to brownish-red. The skin on the belly is thick and white.

Paws are strong and large. From the outside, they appear thick because of the thick coat. The claws are long and sharp.

A special decoration of any lynx are tassels on the ears, see photo:

However, these black brushes are not meant for beauty. With their help, the predator picks up the slightest sounds, which helps him in hunting. In addition to keen hearing, the lynx boasts a good sense of smell and sharp eyesight.

The muzzle of this animal is generally similar to the muzzle of an ordinary domestic cat.

habitats

The European lynx is currently very small in number, moreover, it leads a secretive lifestyle. For this reason, see her in wild nature not so easy. The task for the hunter to find this cat is further complicated by the fact that it lives in such fortresses, where it is very difficult to get. Old cluttered windbreaks, dark taiga forests with very dense undergrowth, dominated by coniferous trees- pines and firs - here typical places her habitat.

Video

Although it can also be found in young forests. He tries to avoid the person. She feels the approach of people several hundred meters away and tries to silently leave, periodically stopping and listening. Although in famine years, the lynx enters the cities in search of food. May attack cats and dogs. This predator is so strong that it can kill an adult shepherd dog.

But cases of the appearance of lynxes in settlements are relatively rare. Her element is a dark coniferous forest.

Lynx life in the forest

Like many predators, it leads a nocturnal and twilight lifestyle. It comes out to search for prey as soon as it starts to get dark. An ordinary lynx hunts mainly for hares. If possible, it also attacks ungulates - roe deer, musk deer, red deer, young boars. Can catch a squirrel, a marten. He loves the meat of hazel grouse, black grouse, capercaillie. In winter, you can catch them on the holes.

It is also known that the lynx has a fierce hatred for foxes ... and kills them at the first opportunity. However, it does not eat. Why this cat has such a dislike for Patrikeevna, one can only guess.

The lynx is a born hunter. Even predators such as leopards and wolves can envy her hunting qualities.

When evening falls and darkness falls, silence falls in the forest. It would seem that all the animals fell asleep - nothing is heard around! But at this time the lynx goes hunting. Here she hears a barely perceptible sound - a hare gnaws at a bitter branch of aspen.

Sensing the prey, the lynx carefully, without too much noise, makes its way through thickets and bushes. Having got up to a convenient distance for an attack (10-20 meters), she prepares for decisive jumps. The unsuspecting hare still gnaws at the aspen bark. Our spotted predator makes a powerful jerk and overtakes the victim in 2-3 jumps. Suddenly, the hare is in the paws of a lynx. If the eared one sensed a threat in time, then he immediately rushes to the leak. The lynx follows him for 50-100 meters, then runs out of steam and stops.

In addition to hunting by stealth, she can also ambush prey. This predator can lie in wait for the prey near the hare paths, at the watering place for ungulates. It does not jump from a tree to its prey, although it can simply lie on a branch and rest, lowering all 4 paws down.

One bunny is enough for her for 2 days. Roe deer - almost a week. A large victim, which cannot be eaten immediately, is buried in the ground (in summer) or sprinkled with snow (in winter), while she herself is nearby.

Leads sedentary life. Although in search of food it can travel more than 30 km per day. By nature, lynxes are loners. But females with cubs live together for several months. During this time, the mother teaches them hunting skills. First, she brings them live animals - mice, hares, etc., with which they play. Then the lynxes go hunting with her. In February, the female drives away the kittens, which by this time have grown up and are ready for independent life in the taiga.

In adults, in the last winter month race starts. During this period, several males walk on the heels of the female. Fights occur between males, which are accompanied by screams, loud meowing and hissing.

Pregnancy lasts 60-70 days. One female brings an average of 2-4 blind kittens, which open their eyes in the second week of life. They feed on milk from 4 to 6 months, but already at the age of 30-40 days they switch to animal food. Lynx cubs grow very quickly - by autumn they cannot be distinguished from their mother in size.

In Europe and in the Siberian taiga, their main enemies of the lynx are wolves, who try to catch and strangle it at every opportunity. She often escapes from danger in trees - thanks to her sharp claws and strong paws, she climbs them very well. She is also very good at swimming.

The life expectancy of a lynx in the forest is about 15 years. In captivity - up to 25 years.

In the last century in European countries ah, the number of common lynx has declined sharply. Only a few hundred individuals remain on the entire continent. Currently, thanks to timely measures taken to protect the population has increased significantly.
The number of this animal is negatively affected by the reduction (cutting out) of forests, forest fires, their reduction forage base and poaching.

Photo of a lynx in the forest

The lynx is a typical cat, although the size of a large dog, which in part resembles with its noticeably shortened body and long legs. The tail of the lynx is, as it were, chopped off. But the head is very characteristic. It is relatively small, round and very expressive.

And when they talk about lynx cruelty, bloodthirstiness, and also about the mortal danger of meeting this beast for a person, but this is not true.

Soft, long and thick lynx fur various areas its range has an unequal color: ash-blue, fawn-smoky, gray-brown, red-brown. Almost always, the fur is dotted with dark spots, large on the back and sides, small on the chest and legs. On the belly, the hair is especially long and soft, but not thick and almost always pure white with a sparse speck. However, even in the same places you rarely see identically colored lynxes.

The summer fur of the lynx is coarser, shorter, and has a brighter coloration than the winter fur.

The body length in males is 76 - 106 centimeters, while in females it is several (3 - 6) centimeters less. Tail from 10 to 20 centimeters. The weight of adult animals is most often 16 - 20 kilograms. Paws are large, well pubescent in winter. No other cat is as well adapted to snow and cold as the lynx.

The trail of the beast is also typically feline, without claw marks. When moving with a step, the trot puts the hind leg in the footprint of the front. If there are several lynxes, the rear ones step exactly in the footsteps of the front ones, just like wolves and broods of tigers.

The lynx has a dense and strong body. In addition, she is very dexterous: she not only climbs trees and rocks perfectly, but also runs fast, makes big jumps up to 3.5 - 4 meters, makes long transitions, and swims well.

The movements of the lynx combine softness and grace, and its whole appearance speaks of strength and independence. But the beast is so secretive and cautious that rarely anyone can see it in the wild.

The lynx lives in various forests. It prefers deaf, calm, littered with impassable windbreak lining, however, it does not avoid light forests. Occasionally found in low-growing forests with bushes, in the forest-steppe, forest-tundra, mountain cliffs, but most often in the zone of the southern low-mountain taiga, where it is not as snowy and cold as in the gloomy northern coniferous forests, and there are a lot of different animals that the lynx hunts for . He loves mountain forests with rocky places.

In general, a lynx, like any predator, lives where there is enough food. The basis of its nutrition is made up of hares, roe deer, musk deer, chamois, tours, various birds (primarily hazel grouse and black grouse), rodents, as well as young deer, wild boars, and elks. Hunting in deep snow and crust, the lynx overcomes large adult animals. On occasion, it catches squirrels, martens, sables, columns, raccoon dogs. The fox is viciously and decisively destroyed, even when there is no particular need for this. But he tries to avoid the areas mastered by wolves: the wolf for the lynx is the same dangerous and implacable enemy as the lynx for the fox.

The lynx leads a predominantly sedentary lifestyle, but during severe frosts with deep snow, when it becomes not only cold, but also very hungry, it embarks on long journeys and often climbs into the steppe and tundra. Moreover, up to 30 kilometers pass per day.

For all its caution, the lynx is not very afraid of people. She also lives in the secondary forests created by them, in young forests, in old cutting areas and burnt areas. In troubled years, it enters villages and such large cities as Tomsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Chita. They also saw her on the outskirts of Moscow and Leningrad.

Lynx molts twice a year - in spring and autumn, spring molt - in April - May, autumn - in November.

When they meet, the lynxes perform a greeting ritual - sniffing each other's noses, they stand opposite and start butting their foreheads so hard that a bone sound is heard. Friendly affection is expressed in the mutual licking of wool.

The lynx is the northernmost of the cat species; in Scandinavia, for example, it is found even beyond the Arctic Circle. In the northern regions, lynxes are large, long-haired, not so noticeably spotted. The main color of lynxes is from reddish to grayish-yellow, and northern lynxes are covered with a blurry grayish coating. In the southern regions, animals, as a rule, are smaller, their hair is short, more brightly colored. Against the background of light fur, black spots stand out noticeably. First of all, it looks like a pardo lynx, which today is still found on the Iberian Peninsula, and was once found in Sardinia. We note in passing that the word "once" too often has to be said in relation to the lynx, because in many European countries it has been completely or almost completely exterminated. Now it is found only in Russia, Scandinavia, Finland, some regions of Poland and the Czech Republic, as well as in Spain. There are no strict boundaries between the southern and northern forms. The transition in color is gradual.

The rut of lynxes begins at the end of February and lasts about a month. In general, this beast loves loneliness, is not inclined to communicate with its own kind, but at the time of marriage, these inclinations break down. Several males usually follow the female, constantly fighting among themselves. Being generally silent animals, they purr and meow loudly and sharply during the rut, and scream furiously when they are very excited. Females meow in a bass voice, males purr dully. In the silence of the night, these sounds produce an eerie impression on a person. At this time, the males arrange violent fights. Pregnancy lasts 63-70 days.

In May, the lynx has 2 - 3 young lynxes (very rarely one or four). They are very helpless, blind and deaf, and weigh only a quarter or a third of a kilogram. For offspring, the mother arranges a lair in a remote part of the forest, somewhere under the eversion, in a hollow, a cave, carefully lining it with feathers, wool, grass. It's warm and dry. For the first two months of their lives, lynxes grow rapidly and develop on mother's milk. Then they begin to leave the nest with their mother, get acquainted with the complex life of the forest. Adults bring them live mice, voles, hares. They patiently teach how to get them, touchingly and selflessly protecting the animals from all adversity.

The eyes of the cubs open after 16-17 days. When they are a month old, they begin to take solid food, nevertheless, they are fed on their mother's milk for another four months. The hunting instinct awakens at an early age. The cubs, who are forty days old, are already trying to sneak up on the "prey" and attack it. Females reach puberty at 21 months, males at 33 months. Life expectancy is probably 15-20 years.

The male helps the mother to feed and raise the offspring. Cubs grow quickly, already in October it is difficult to distinguish them from their parents, and lynxes begin to hunt in families. All winter the brood keeps together, disintegrating by the beginning of a new rut, when adults, as if not wanting to show their family scandals and fights, drive the young away. At the age of one year, the young are finally moving to an independent life.

The lynx is a great hunter. During the day, she usually rests in her den, and with the onset of twilight she becomes active. Easily climbing trees and rocks, she chooses a convenient place from which everything around is clearly visible, and patiently waits for the appearance of the victim. The endurance of the lynx is worthy of respect. For hours, sometimes for days, she can lie in ambush without moving. Thanks to its camouflage coloration and complete immobility, it is very difficult to notice it, and it sees everything from above. Possessing extremely delicate hearing and surprisingly sharp eyesight, the lynx detects the prey even from a distance. Its throws are lightning fast and almost always accurate, and the fight even with a large animal does not last long: the teeth and claws of the lynx are huge and very sharp.

But prey does not often come to the place of ambush, so the predator much more often has to use a more active method of hunting: stealth. A lynx is walking through the forest completely inaudibly, literally merging with the background of the area. He listens to the slightest rustle, sniffs at all smells. He uses every opportunity to hide his traces, climb onto a dead tree, walk along it, look around from a height. Having found a fresh track or seeing the prey, very patiently creeps up to it. In case of unsuccessful first throws, it pursues the fleeing victim with large jumps. Most often, the success or failure of the hunt is decided by the first ten to fifteen jumps of the attack.

Since autumn, when the young are already strong, lynxes hunt in families, parents teach children. Predators collectively "comb" the forest, arrange driven hunts and small raids.

During the night, the lynx usually travels 6 - 8, sometimes 10 - 15 kilometers. She bypasses her hunting area by certain routes in 5-10 days. Perfectly knows where, when and whom to hunt. She met, caught her next victim, ate, hid the remnants of the meal and went to bed somewhere nearby. Often right in the snow.

Among hunters - yes, and scientists! - It is widely believed that the lynx eats little. But it turned out that a medium-sized male, weighing 18 - 20 kilograms, eats about 2.5 - 3 kilograms of meat per day in winter, and when hungry - up to 5 - 6. A lynx eats no less meat per unit of its weight than, say , wolverine or leopard.

I have read and heard that the lynx is a gourmand, eats only fresh meat, never returning to the abandoned one. Comes back all the time! He even eats frozen or sour meat! Of course, when hunting is poor and there is no fresh food.

The lynx, like most predators, crushes animals more than it needs when the opportunity arises.

In conditions that are unfavorable for hoofed animals, say, in a lot of snow or crust, a lynx can kill a roe deer or musk deer every day, eating only the most tasty and leaving the rest. Sometimes 2 - 3 roe deer crushes a day! Up to twenty or thirty for the winter! Of course, this is not a system.

Lynx rarely attacks pets. Only a wounded and pursued lynx can attack a hunter. Her attitude towards people is rather strange. In the forest, she always avoids him, although she is not afraid, but at the same time, sometimes carelessly, even impudently, she comes to populated areas, breaks into sheepfolds, stockyards, hunts dogs. Or he comes to the taiga winter hut, obviously knowing that a hunter lives in it, and climbs onto the roof for meat. What makes this very cautious beast go to people for death is unknown.

The North American lynx - Lynx canadensi - lives in the wooded areas of Alaska, Canada, and the state of California (USA). This type of lynx is half the size of the Eurasian lynx, its weight is 8-14 kg, body length 86-117 cm, height at the withers 60-65 cm. Like all lynxes, the Canadian species has long fur on the sides of the muzzle, black tassels of fur on the ears and a short black-tipped tail.

The color of the coat is reddish, white marks are scattered over the main background, which give the impression of being powdered with snow. There are no spots, and if there are, they are light and difficult to distinguish in the main color. On the black ears at the back there is white spot like many cats. There is an unusual color of the "blue lynx", in which the fur is very light, almost white. The paws of the lynx are long, the foot is wide.

The North American lynx is easily distinguished from short-tailed cats by its tail: its entire tail tip is black, while in cats, the tip is black only at the top, and the lower part of the end of the tail is white. The lynx also has a wider foot, thicker fur on the muzzle, paws greater length, the tassels on the ears are also longer. The lynx feeds exclusively on hares, therefore it is found in the habitats of hares, the size of the lynx population is completely dependent on the growth or decline in the number of hares. Supplement to the main diet are small rodents, red deer, other animals, but the basis of nutrition is hares.

Canadian lynx leads daytime look life and also hunts during the day. They prefer to live alone, with the exception of the period when the females have offspring. After 63-70 days of pregnancy, the female gives birth to 1-8 kittens, and their number depends on how much the mother is provided with food. Their eyes open on days 10-17, and on days 24-30 they can already leave the den. The mother feeds them with milk for 3-5 months, young lynxes reach sexual maturity at the age of 23 months, but they can start breeding as early as the age of 10 months when there is an abundance of food. IN natural conditions they live up to 15 years.

Canadian lynxes are endangered due to the destruction of their habitats. Many lynxes fall into traps, these animals are the object of hunting, their fur is valued. :(These animals are listed in II CITES, it is believed that their number is not more than 2000.

There is an opinion among experts that the lynx living in Newfoundland should be considered a separate subspecies - Lynx canadensis subsolanus.

Red Lynx - Lynx Rufus- lives in North America in the territory from southern Canada to southern Mexico and from east to west coast USA. It occurs both in subtropical forests and in arid desert regions, in swampy lowlands, coniferous and deciduous forests, as well as in human habitats. Outwardly, this is a typical lynx, but smaller, half the size of a Eurasian lynx, body length 76.2-127 cm, height at the withers 53.3 cm, weight 5.8-14 kg, legs somewhat shorter, paws not so wide, less brush ears and lighter color. It is called a bobcat, or a short-tailed cat.

Unlike real lynxes, the bobcat has a white mark on the inside of the black tip of the tail, while in lynxes it is completely black. Like all wild cats, they have black ears with a white spot at the back - flattened ears indicate the aggressive mood of the cat, which she signals to her opponent. The coat color is reddish-brown or light gray, the belly is white, there are black spots on the paws, black marks on the muzzle. Red bobcats from the south have more black markings than their northern cousins. There are lynxes completely black (melanists) and white (albinos), the former being found only in Florida.

The red lynx breeds from February to June. After a pregnancy lasting 50-70 days, the female gives birth to 1-6 cubs. They weigh less than half a kilogram at birth. Both parents take care of the offspring, which they feed for 3-4 months, and five-month-old lynxes already go hunting with their mother. At 9 months, the young leave their mother and go in search of their hunting territory. At 12 months, females become sexually mature, males - at 24 months. Lynx feeds for the most part small mammals: rodents, such as voles, squirrels and rabbits, but sometimes attacks birds (wild turkeys, domestic chickens) and even white-tailed deer. It hunts by stalking and lying in wait for its game, which it attacks from hiding. The natural enemies of the red lynx are big cats: jaguars, cougars and large lynxes. They are the subject of hunting. :(

There are subspecies:
Lynx rufus rufus - Northeast and central US,
Lynx rufus baileyi - in the southwestern United States,
Lynx rufus californicus - in California, Nevada,
Lynx rufus escuinapae - in Central Mexico,
Lynx rufus fascinatus - in British Columbia,
Lynx rufus floridianus - in the southern regions of the United States,
Lynx rufus gigas - in Maine
Lynx rufus pallescens - in the Rocky Mountains,
Lynx rufus peninsularis - in the Bahia Peninsula, California,
Lynx rufus superiorensis - in the northwest and central United States,
Lynx rufus texensis - in Texas and northern Mexico.

The Spanish or Iberian lynx - Lynx pardinus - lives in the forested mountainous regions of southwestern Spain (most of the animals inhabit national park Koto Donana), several very few populations were found in Portugal.

There is a large resemblance between the Spanish lynx and its relatives from Eurasia, with the exception that the Spanish lynx is twice as large as them. Its weight is 15-25 kg, and its body length is 85-110 cm. In addition, it is lighter in color, and its spots are more contrasting. Like its relatives, the Spanish lynx has long fur that frames the muzzle on the sides, black tassels on the ears, a short tail, black at the end and wide paws.

It feeds mainly on hares and rabbits, but deer, ducks and fish are present in its diet. The number of lynxes is limited by the number of their main food, since the population of European hares in Lately significantly reduced due to unfavorable environmental conditions and diseases.

The Spanish lynx - Lynx pardinus prefers a solitary lifestyle, it is active at night, and in winter, on the contrary, during the day. Pairs form only during the mating season, which occurs in January. Pregnancy lasts 60 days. There are three cubs in the litter. Their mother feeds them with milk for 5 months, and at the age of 7-10 months they are ready to start an independent life, but continue to live in the mother's possessions until the age of 20 months. They become sexually mature only at 3 years. By this time they acquire their own territory; females do not form pairs with a male who has no territorial holdings. Lifespan in the wild up to 13 years.

This type of lynx is one of the most rare mammals on land and is listed on CITES Appendix I, as well as IUCN, Category 1 (Endangered Animals). The main sources that were used in compiling this story about the LYNX:

Young naturalist 1988
Newspaper "Bird Market" 1995 - 9

Lynx is the most major representative felines inhabiting the forests of Europe. There are several species: common (Eurasian), Canadian, red, Pyrenean (Spanish) and Barbary lynx (caracal). This predatory forest cat it is not like its fellows and stands out among all the body structure.

Appearance

The appearance of this cat is very deceiving, as the lynx looks completely harmless and cute, but in fact, it is a predator with sharp claws and teeth.

Unlike other members of the cat family, the lynx has a short body and long legs. Hind feet are longer with 4 toes, front feet have 5 toes.

Males a little larger than females. The body is short and dense with a short blunt tail (15-25 cm). The body length is on average from 80 to 130 cm. The weight of a lynx rarely exceeds 25 kg, males weigh an average of 19-20 kg, and females about 18 kg.

The head is small, rounded with pointed ears of medium size. A distinctive sign are fluffy tassels at the ends of the ears. The muzzle is short with large, wide-set eyes. Long hair grows on the sides of the muzzle, resembling sideburns.

The lynx has very soft fur with a thick undercoat. The coat on the belly is longer. The wide paws are densely overgrown, the hair grows even between the toes, which creates a kind of ski and allows it to easily walk on the snow.

The common lynx sheds twice a year - in spring and autumn. The winter pile is denser and fluffier, lighter than the summer one. The color of a lynx depends on the species and habitat. Usually the fur is grayish-red in color, with dark spots expressed to varying degrees on the sides and back. There are smaller spots on the legs and chest. The belly is white and the tip of the tail is black.

habitats

Habitat - forests of Eurasia and North America. This wild cat can be found even beyond the Arctic Circle.

Previously, this predator was distributed almost throughout the Central and Western Europe. But by the middle of the twentieth century, the number began to decline rapidly due to uncontrolled shooting and deforestation.

Now this wild cat lives in Russia, on Balkan Peninsula, in Germany, Poland, Scandinavia, France, Switzerland, Central Asia and Transcaucasia. In some countries, lynx had to be repopulated to save the population.

IN USA the largest number these animals live in the southeast, smaller populations are settled from Mexico to southern Canada. At the beginning of the 20th century, the common lynx was settled in Kamchatka.

Where does the lynx live? Favorite places- this is taiga, coniferous and mixed forests. Sometimes it also settles in the forest-tundra or other places with low vegetation, among bushes or reeds. But most often the lynx chooses habitats in the thickets of young growth or dense forests, where you can find a secluded place for a lair.

Lifestyle and habits

The lynx leads a solitary and sedentary life, moving around its territory. This wild cat is an excellent swimmer and climbs trees and rocks. She is not afraid of people, but she tries to avoid meeting with them, she senses their approach from afar and tries to hide silently. Lynx in winter in search of prey is able to travel 20-30 km per day. In times of famine, a predator can visit settlements, where chickens, dogs, and even sheep can become its prey.

The European lynx is not adapted to a long run, therefore, in case of a threat, the animal escapes in the trees.

The greeting ritual of these cats is very interesting. When meeting, friendly-minded individuals sniff each other's noses and then "butt" their foreheads. The sign of the highest location is the mutual licking of wool.

Almost the entire daylight hours, a predator can rest on trees or spend in its lair, which suits in secluded places, among windbreaks, in rock crevices or caves, low hollows or under uprooted tree roots.

The European lynx hunts, as a rule, in the early morning, under the cover of dusk. Only the Canadian lynx goes hunting during the day. Having tracked down the prey, the predator sneaks up to it and in several long jumps (2-3 meters) overtakes the victim.

Often a fox or a wolverine follows a lynx, hoping to profit from its prey. Wolverine can also take prey by attacking the lynx and driving it away. But with a fox, a forest cat does not stand on ceremony. If they collide in the territory of a lynx, then a wild cat will most likely kill the fox. She will not eat a fox, food competition causes aggressiveness towards foxes.

Nutrition

The main food is hares, birds, rodents and young ungulates.

For complete nutrition adult 1-3 kg of meat is required per day, if the predator has not eaten for some time and he is hungry, then he can immediately eat 4-5 kg. If the lynx is not hungry, it prefers not to waste energy and does not go hunting.

This wild cat hides the remains of its prey in the snow or covers it with earth. But she disguises her supplies extremely ineptly, which is why other predators often steal her supplies.

reproduction

The rut of the lynx lasts from February to March. Several males take care of the female at once, who constantly fight among themselves, while making loud sounds that are carried over long distances.

Pregnancy lasts about two months and offspring appears in April-May. There are usually 2-3 kittens in a litter, and much less often 4 or 5. Newborn lynxes weigh about 300 g, like all cats, they are born blind and open their eyes at about two weeks of age.

The male does not take part in the upbringing of the young. Up to two months, the female feeds the kittens with milk, then begins to accustom them to animal food. Often the mother brings live hares or rodents to the kittens so that the young lynxes develop hunting skills. Lynx cubs with their mother go out for the first hunt after they are five months old.

Tanks and brushes in young individuals are fully formed by 1.5 years.

By the beginning of the next rut, the female drives away the cubs in order to continue breeding. If she does not have a new brood, then the lynxes live with their mother for some more time.

In the wild, the life expectancy of this cat is 15-20 years, and in captivity, with good care, they can live for more than 25 years.

Lynx hunting

The lynx in the Red Book is listed as an endangered species, therefore, in Russia, a shooting limit and hunting periods have been set. They hunt lynx in the thaw, in deep snow, usually by roundup, with dogs or by setting traps.

The lynx can be called conditionally dangerous for a person, as it avoids meeting with him. An animal can attack a person only when protecting its own life or the life of its cubs.

There are many stories about the domestication of lynxes by humans and their peaceful coexistence.

Video

See below - documentary about the life of a lynx in the wild.

And about the tamed one:

Common or Eurasian lynx (lynx lynx)- one of four species of the lynx genus (lynx). This predatory mammal (Felidae) living in Russia, Central Asia and Europe.

Description

Of the four species of lynx, the Eurasian lynx is the largest. They are also considered one of the largest predators in Europe, after the gray wolves. Body weight ranges from 18 to 36 kg, and length - from 70 to 130 cm. Height at the withers is from 60 to 65 cm. Sexual dimorphism is present, males are larger and stronger.

The coat has a gray, red or yellow color. There are three types of drawings: spotted, striped and solid. Large spots, small spots and rosettes may be present on the body of the animal. Drawings depend on the habitat. The belly, front of the neck, the inside of the paws, and the ears are white. The tail is short, with a hard black tip. Eurasian lynxes have long legs, sharp and retractable claws, a round muzzle, and triangular ears. Character traits common lynx: black tufts at the ends of the ears and noticeably elongated "whiskers". The paws are large and covered with hair, which helps them move through deep snow.

area

The Eurasian lynx is one of the most widely distributed cat species. Their habitat includes Russia, Central Asia and Europe. Today they occupy an area from Western Europe through the boreal forests of Russia to the Tibetan Plateau and Central Asia. The habitat is severely limited by the presence of people and their activities. The common lynx is difficult to meet in areas with a large number of settlements, railways and roads, as these factors are the causes of increased deaths and injuries. Lynx habitats depend on the presence of forest cover. Deforestation prevents the common lynx from dispersing throughout Europe and Asia.

Habitat

Eurasian lynxes live in a variety of habitats. In Europe and Siberia, forest areas with dense populations of ungulates are preferred. IN Central Asia, they are found in open, sparse forests, rocky hills and mountains in desert areas. Common lynxes also live in rocky areas and dense forests on the northern slopes of the Himalayas.

reproduction

Breeding takes place every year from February to April. The female's estrus lasts about three days per season. The male and receptive female spend several days together and copulate many times a day. After the female ends her estrus, the male leaves her and looks for another. During the season, the female has only one partner.

Pregnancy lasts from 67 to 74 days, cubs are born in May. The interval between matings depends on the success of the previous season. Females without cubs will mate every year, while females with offspring will mate about every 3 years. As a rule, a female is born from 2 to 3 lynxes. Newborns weigh between 300 and 350 g and depend on the nutrition and protection of the mother. They are weaned at 4 months and become independent at 10 months of age. Sexual maturity in females occurs at 2 years of age and lasts up to 14 years, while males mature after 3 years and are able to breed up to 17 years.

Lifespan

The common lynx can live up to 17 years in the wild and 24 years in captivity. Infant mortality is high.

Nutrition

Like other members of the feline family, bobcats are strictly carnivorous and consume only meat. Other types (, and) of lynxes prefer rabbits and hares. The Eurasian lynx preys mainly on ungulates. Small ungulates such as European roe deer (Capreolus Capreolus), musk deer and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) make up the majority of their diet, but European lynxes are known to prey on large ungulates such as moose and caribou due to their vulnerability in winter. Common lynxes also supplement their diet with foxes, rabbits, hares, rodents and birds. They consume 1 to 2 kg of meat per day. The Eurasian lynx stalks its prey by camouflaging itself in dense vegetation and approaches quietly so as not to be seen. Then she pounces on the prey, and commits deadly bite by the neck or muzzle until the animal is suffocated. They hide the killed victim under logs or cover it with vegetation in order to eat it later in private. They hide uneaten prey in hiding places and later return for it.

In most of its range, the Eurasian lynx intersects with three other large predators: gray wolves, brown bears and wolverines. brown bears mostly and not strongly compete with lynxes for prey. Gray wolves and lynxes tend to exist peacefully. They have different preferences and hunting styles. Gray wolves are larger than common lynxes and primarily prey on deer, while Eurasian lynxes focus on roe deer and small ungulates. Lynxes are solitary hunters who hide in dense vegetation, behind fallen logs, or in the snow before attacking. Competition between these species may occur in areas where roe deer, deer, or other ungulates are in short supply.

Behavior

Common lynxes prefer a solitary lifestyle. A long-term relationship is formed between a mother and her cubs. Lynxes are most active in the morning and evening. When the animals are not active, they rest under the cover of thick bushes, in tall grass, or in trees. Eurasian lynxes are primarily terrestrial, but are highly experienced in climbing and swimming.

Range

Individual home ranges can range from 25 to 2,800 square kilometers, depending on habitat, density, and prey availability. On average, the territories of females are in the range from 100 to 200 square kilometers, and males - from 240 to 280 square kilometers. Females choose the area based on the availability of prey and natural resources needed to raise offspring. They occupy smaller ranges when grooming lynxes. Home ranges may overlap between mother and cubs or other females. Males choose territories with wide access to females and their home ranges. One male, crosses with 1 or 2 females and their offspring. The ranges of both sexes tend to depend on the availability of prey.

Communication and perception

Little is known about the relationships between Eurasian lynxes. Their vocalizations are weak and rare. They have keen eyesight and hearing, which is mainly used to locate prey and potential mates. Males and females mark their home ranges with gland secretions and urine.

Predation

Eurasian lynxes do not have natural enemies, but there have been cases of killing by tigers, wolves and wolverines.

Role in the ecosystem

The Eurasian lynx was close to extinction due to high fur hunting in the early 1900s. Currently, commercial hunting is illegal in all countries except Russia. Eurasian lynxes are heavily guarded in Afghanistan, where all hunting and trading is illegal. However, illegal fur trading does occur in some countries.

Economic value to humans: Negative

As a rule, the common lynx does not attack people, except for direct threat and traps. People sometimes complain that lynxes prey on livestock and pets. In most European countries, programs have been established for farmers and pastoralists to compensate for losses.

conservation status

Habitat loss due to deforestation, loss of prey due to hunting, illegal hunting and killing for the fur trade are major threats to the common lynx. In the 1960s and 70s, the Eurasian lynx was reintroduced in Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland. To date, the population of the common lynx causes the least concern.

Video

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