The Furriest Animal Alive

Appearance

The most distinctive features for a lynx are their tufted ears, huge paws, and the stubby, bushy tail. The color of lynxes' fur varies depending on the different types of species. Although all the species of lynxes have a ruff, ring of fur around its neck. The ruff is marked with black bars that look like a bow tie but most of the times it is not visible. All species have white fur on the underside of their bodies. Different species have different sizes and weight. The Eurasian lynx is the largest, males weigh from 44 lbs to 66 lbs. They stand 27 inches at the shoulder. The Canada lynx weighs between 18 to 31 lbs and stand between 19 inches to 22 inches at shoulder height. For males, the Iberian lynx weighs about 28 lbs and and for females, they stand 23 to 27 inches at shoulder height. The bobcat weighs between 11 and 30 lbs and stand about 20 to 24 inches and the shoulder. 

Diet

Lynxes can hunt a wider range of animals. They are carnivorous and will only eat meat. The Canada lynx prefers to eat snowshoe hare and it population changes depending on the availability of the snowshoe hare. They will also hunt fish, birds, turkey, rabbits, and more. Since the Eurasian lynx is larger than the other species, they can hunt deer, reindeer, and elk. 

Habitat 

Most species live in high-altitude forests that offer protection with dense shrubs, trees, and tall grass. Lynxes are able to climb trees and are excellent swimmers. Eurasian lynxes live in northern and Central Europe and they are also found in India, northern Pakistan, and Iran. They are mostly found in Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia. The Canada lynx lives in Canada, hints the name, but it can be found in the northern states of US like Washington, Montana and Maine. They live in boreal forest also called snow forest. The Iberian Lynx only live in the southern parts of Spain, it used to live in Portugal but it became extinct. The bobcat ranges from southern Canada all the way down as northern Mexico. They live in both grasslands and forests. 

Reproduction and Life Cycle

 

Eurasian lynxes mate between January and April. Females look for secret locations to build nests which are often in caves or in dens. Their gestation period lasts for 2 to 3 months. Females will give birth to no more than 3 and if so it is very rare. Kittens are born between 8.5 oz to 15 oz. Kittens are covered in grayish brown fur. They open their eyes after ten days after they are born. Their mother leaves the den after two or three months but her kittens follow her until they are 10 months old. Eurasian lynxes live up to 21 years in captivity. Canada lynxes live up to 27 years in captivity. Bobcats live up to 32 years in captivity.

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