Lynx

Lynx Facts

Size	Up to 29.5 inch (75 cm) (shoulder height)
Speed	Unknown
Weight	Up to 83 lb (38 kg)
Lifespan	12-20 years
Food	Mammals, birds
Predators	Wolves, bears, coyotes
Habitat	Europe, Asia, North America (Alaska, Canada), Mexiko
Order	Carnivore
Family	Cats
Scientific name	Lynx lynx
Characteristics	Ear tufts, whiskers, short tail

Main Characteristics

Lynxes are big cats. From a scientific point of view, lynxes are categorized as felinae, a subfamily of the cat family, which mainly includes small to medium-sized cats such as cheetahs, pumas, ocelots, servals and fishing cats. But with a shoulder height of 29.5 inch (75 cm) they are not really small. In fact, they are the biggest European wild cats. Lynxes inhabit forests, deserts, tundra regions, wetlands, rocky regions, scrubland and grasslands. They swim and climb very well.

Lynx Photo: animalphotography.ch/Shutterstock

Species

There are four species of lynx: the Canadian Lynx, the Eurasian Lynx, the Iberian Lynx and the Bobcat.

Distribution and Habitat

Today it is something very special to meet a lynx. It is a noble big cat with its fine ear tufts, bushy whiskers and big paws! In former times, the lynx was rather common in Europe. Yet, because people considered it to be a cattle thief, the lynx was hunted down and soon disappeared. Meanwhile, the lynxes have returned to the Bavarian Forest (Germany).

Lynx Photo: Volodymyr Burdiak/Shutterstock

Anatomy and Appearance

Ear Tufts

Vanity is sure not the reason for the lynx’s extraordinary ear tufts. They serve as hearing aids. The lynx can move them like small antennas in all directions in order to better perceive sounds with his ears.

Whiskers

The lynx can ruffle its whiskers, but we do not know yet why it does this. It is assumed that this enables him to better perceive sounds.

Snow Shoes

The lynx has big, furry paws. When it walks across the snow, it spreads its toes. This makes the surface of its paws even larger so that the lynx hardly sinks into the snow.

Lynx Photo: Eduard Kyslynskyy/Shutterstock

Diet

Lynxes hunt almost all mammals and birds, such as mice, marmots, foxes, martens, and wild boars. Yet, they mostly focus on deer. The Siberian lynx is well known for hunting prey that is twice as large as itself. If there is a chance, it even kills reindeer.

Enemies and Threats

Are Lynxes Dangerous?

No. Lynxes avoid people. It's the other way around. Humans mean a threat to lynxes. The animals lose their habitats due to agriculture and building streets and rails. They are being hunted for their fur, too. The Pardell lynx is even considered a endangered species.

Lynx Photo: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock

Fun Facts

What Is the Meaning of the Name Lynx?

The term "lynx" originates from the Greek word for "light". It refers to the eyes of the animal, which are gleaming nicely at night. They are golden-yellow, yellow-brown or ochre-brown and the lynx’s most important hunting tool. Its eyesight is about six times better than ours.