Lynx (Felis) canadensis
SUBFAMILY
Felinae
TAXONOMY
Felis Lynx canadensis Kerr, 1792, Canada. Probably descended from Eurasian lynx, which migrated into North America during glacial period.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Lynx du Canada; German: Kanadaluchs; Spanish: Lince del Canada.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
27–43 in (70–110 cm); tail 2–6 in (5–16 cm); 11–37 lb (5–17 kg). Reddish-brown to gray coat, with "frosted" appearance. Flared facial ruff, black ear tufts, long hind legs. Large, spreading feet act like snowshoes.
DISTRIBUTION
North America, especially Canada and Alaska.
HABITAT
Boreal forest.
BEHAVIOR
Male home range 1.6–90 mi2 (4–225 km2), female range 1.6–43 mi2 (4–107 km2). Population densities fluctuate dramatically with prey cycle. In good quality habitat varies from 7–93 per 100 mi2 (250 km2). Male ranges usually include female range and may overlap with other males. Males are unusually tolerant of independent offspring.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Very close predator-prey relationship with snowshoe hare. Lynx population peaks one to two years after the cyclic 10-year peak in hare numbers. Lynx density can differ by 15-fold between highs and lows of cycle. Breeding rate and success dips as hare numbers decline, but reproduction increases as hare population recovers. Also preys on small rodents, birds and deer. May travel up to 750 mi (1,200 km) in search of patches of hare abundance.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Polygamous. Births mainly in May–June. Gestation 63–70 days, litter one to eight, largest when prey is abundant. Kittens independent at 10 months. Females may breed from ten months old if prey is abundant, usually in second year.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by the IUCN. Locally endangered, but generally populations are healthy. Displaced in some areas by bobcat.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Easily trapped, but trapping for fur is now controlled to avoid seriously depleting populations during vulnerable parts of the hare cycle. Demand for pelts is declining.
