Canadian lynx

 

Suffering from heavy trapping and habitat degradation, the Canada lynx has become exceedingly rare in the lower 48 states. It is unknown how many remain, but Montana and Washington appear to be the only states with significant population. Records of lynx trapped or killed have occurred in places as far away as North central Utah and Northern Nevada.  These records probably indicate wandering males and not self-sustaining populations. 

 

Canadian Lynx Facts:

Scientific Name: Felis Lynx canadensis 

Weight: 8-11 kilograms 

Length: less than a meter from nose to end of tail 

Tail length: 10-15 centimeters 

Height: 48 to 56 centimeters at shoulder, males are generally larger than females

Description:  Brown coats in the summer which turn to more of a silver grey during the winter months.  Canadian lynxes are muscular and leggy, with hind legs that are longer than the front limbs.  The backs of their ears are black at the base and ear tips have elongated tufts of black hair, characteristic of all lynx species. This lynx has a furry ruff that resembles a double pointed beard and a short tail with a black tip. One very remarkable feature of the Canadian Lynx is its huge feat which aid it in traveling through deep snow.  

Main Food Source:  Snowshoe hair 

Geographic Distribution:   

 

While lynx are abundant in Alaska and in Northern Canada, where it is managed and trapped for its fur, there are thought to be fewer than 200 lynx in the contiguous United States.  The US Fish and Wildlife Service listed it as a threatened species in 2000, which banned hunting and trapping of lynx. Small populations exist in Montana, Idaho, and Washington and it has also been spotted in Utah, Minnesota, and New England.  Reintroduction efforts in Colorado started in 1999, with the first wild-born kittens confirmed in 2003.   

Breeding season: Once per year March to early April with estrus lasting 3 to 5 days.  At areas of high hare density, all females are likely to breed every year.  However, in areas where hares are scarce, lynxes are known to breed every other year. 

Gestation:  63 to 64 days, possibly as long as 70 days

Litter size:  1 to 8 kittens

 

Map and most of the information from Wild Cats of the World, authors Mel and Fiona Sunquist, published 2002.