This animal is an opportunistic predator and can hunt a wide range of animals. It is a strict carnivore. The Canada lynx strongly prefers the snowshoe hare, and its population numbers fluctuate with the availability of the hare. However, it will also hunt fish, squirrels, rabbits, birds, grouse, turkey, and more. The larger Eurasian lynx often hunts larger animals such as deer, reindeer, and even elk.

It’s believed that the lynx’s small tail is from a genetic mutation, which hasn’t hampered their survival. The Iberian lynx was the most endangered cat species in the world. However, conservation efforts helped change its status from critically endangered, to endangered.

Hasegawa, Y. [in Japanese]; Kaneko, H.; Tachibana, M.; Tanaka, G. (2011). 日本における後期更新世～前期完新世産のオオヤマネコ Lynxについて[A study of the extinct Japanese Lynx from the Late Pleistocene to the Early Holocene] (PDF). Bulletin of Gunma Museum of Natural History (in Japanese and English). 15: 43–80. ISSN 1342-4092. The first mammals are believed to have lived 208 million years ago – after the extinction of dinosaurs. The first carnivores came from animals known as miacoids about 60 million years ago. These tree dwellers were about the size of a domestic cat and had developed sharp crushing teeth. Miacoids are the oldest relative to the modern-day lynx. Banda, P. Solomon (September 18, 2010). "Lynx reintroduction ruled a success in Colorado". The Denver Post. Associated Press . Retrieved September 18, 2010. The Canada lynx and the bobcat are the most common of these cats in United States zoos. They are easily found in zoos all over the country, including the following: As an apex predator, the lynx is an animal that plays an essential role in its ecosystem. They regulate the populations of prey species, including rabbits, rodents, and deer, which protects vegetation from being over-consumed. Many European countries, including the UK, have lost their lynx populations and now suffer from overpopulation of species like deer. What is a lynx’s scientific name?

The Canada lynx may look like a slightly larger version of your housecat, but make no mistake, these boreal predators are ferocious! With big eyes and super hearing, Canada lynx are excellent night hunters. But they are not fast runners, so they have to be sneaky when it comes to catching prey. Usually, they find a hiding spot and wait for prey to come near — then they pounce. Some lynx will sit still for hours just to snatch a bite! The scientific name for the genus of lynxes is actually Lynx. The names of each of the four species start with this name, which originates from a Greek word meaning ‘to shine’ in reference to their reflective eyes. They are part of a subset of cats called short-tailed cats in the family Felidae, which also includes domestic cats, tigers, lions, and many more. The four species of lynx are known as:

What is a lynx?

In January, in a separate project, conservationists launched a year-long study, Lynx to Scotland, to ask farmers, landowners and local communities what they thought about reintroducing lynxes. If they respond positively, a pilot project could be launched, with up to 40 lynx released in five years around forested Highland estates in the Cairngorms. If the public is not keen, organisers say the project will be dropped. Any proposal to reintroduce predators such as lynx ... would be wholly unacceptable to Scottish farmers and crofters Martin Kennedy, NFU Scotland president Lynx populations rise and fall in synchronization with the population cycles of snowshoe hares. When hares are abundant, more lynx survive to reproduce and their numbers increase. When hare populations fall, which occurs every 10 years, many lynx die of starvation. Lynx Description