Lynx
Geographic Range: The lynx formerly lived in most forested areas of north-central and northeastern North America, south along the Rocky Mountains to central Colorado. The main lynx population in the U.S. is found in Alaska. Low populations occur in Washington, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York (reintroduced), Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. There are large populations in many parts of Canada.
Status: Listed as threatened in Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Length: 3 feet Height: 2 feet Weight: 15 – 35 lbs
Description: Short-tailed, long-legged, similar to bobcats. Canada lynx are larger and have longer ear tufts and different tail markings. Lynx are reddish-brown to gray in color with a black tipped tail. Their faces and ear tufts are edged with black. Lynx have retractable claws and use their large, heavily furred feet like snowshoes.
Habitat: Primarily forested areas. They will use farmland if it is broken up enough with forested tracts.
Typical diet: Snowshoe hares are the primary prey. Lynx will switch to small rodents, ground birds and occasionally white-tailed deer during periods of low hare numbers.
Similar species: Bobcat, Eurasian lynx
Special Notes:
- Lynx are generally solitary and nocturnal
- Lynx territories may overlap but they seek out other lynx only to mate
- They are able to breed when one year old, but they often do not breed until their second year
- Mating occurs in late January–February
- Gestation is 63–70 days
- Litters range in size from 1–4 kit
