Lynx

Class Mammalia Order Carnivora Family Felidae Genus Lynx Species Lynx canadensis Canadian lynx Lynx lynx Northern or Eurasian lynx Lynx pardinus Spanish lynx

This article will introduce you to the Canadian Lynx. These lynx are referred to as the ghost cats of the northern woods. They are rarely seen, and if they are spotted they disappear in a fast moving blur.

The Canadian lynx is one of the three wild cats in North America, the cougar, the bobcat, and the lynx. The largest is the cougar, mountain lion or puma. The bobcat and lynx are sometimes confused with each other, but there are ways to tell them apart. They both have short stumpy tails, but are marked differently. The lynx has a single solid black tip on his tail. The bobcat's tail has a black tip but also four or five dark rings around it and is a bit longer. Usually the lynx is larger, has longer legs, and fewer spots on its coat than the bobcat. The lynx's ears are longer with distinctive tufts of fur.

The lynx has long legs and huge paws. These help it move quickly and easily even in deep snow. A good distance can be covered with each stride of these long legs. It also allows it to leap over small thickets and fallen trees in the forest. The massive paws on the other hand, provide the lynx with immediate and effective snowshoes in the winter. The furry toes spread out over the snow and distribute the lynx's weight so he doesn't sink. These furry toes also keep his feet warm.

Since the lynx is active all year, he has two coats, one for the winter and one for the summer. The summer coat is quite short, but he will still head for the shade on a hot day. The fur is a light brown with faint spots providing a good camouflage for blending into the shadows of the forest. In the fall, this coat is replaced with a grey winter coat with faint spots. This winter coat is in two layers, with the first layer working like a blanket to keep the body warm. This underfur is covered by long, black tipped guard hairs, which protect the lynx from the icy wind and which also, sheds water.

The keen senses, agile body, powerful jaws and sharp teeth make the lynx a successful hunter. The lynx will sneak up silently on its prey, waits, and then leaps. The lynx usually hunts at night and like other cats can see quite well in the dark. The lynx also uses his shoulder wide face whiskers, as do most cats. If his whiskers brush against something in the dark, the lynx will evaluate the situation. Like all cats he knows that if his whiskers cannot fit through the rest of his body will not be able to either.

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