A medium sized wild cat of the Northern Hemisphere,
lynx is a beautiful and elusive feline. Classified into four subspecies
in lines of its appearance and distribution, it is seen in a number of
countries of Europe, Asia and North America. A large wild cat, it
weighs in the range of thirty to seventy pounds, with the size varying
across the subspecies.
The word 'lynx' is Greek is origin and
means 'to shine' - a possible reference to the cat's bright eyes. Other
characteristic features include large paws that assist in walking on
snow and a short tail. Neck has a thick ruff of hair around it and ears
are tipped by black ear tufts. Whiskers are usually long and prominent.
Coloration varies with habitat and is usually brownish gray, with the
fur often being spotted on limbs.
An inhabitant of mountains and
dense forests, lynx usually lives in thick shrubs and bush. Capable of
an arboreal and aquatic style of hunting, it usually stalks and
ambushes its prey on the ground. Co-operative hunting has been observed
between mother and kittens and prey of various size are brought down in
this manner, ranging from hare, rodents, fish, birds, sheep, goat and
deer to reindeer. Sight and hearing is usually employed to close in to
prey, rather than scent. Lynx prefers to ambush and pounce upon its
prey from a close distance, like a leopard, rather than sprint after it
like the cheetah.
Largely a solitary and reclusive cat, lynx
usually mates in winter and a litter of up to four kittens are born
yearly. Independence is reached at nearly one year of age. Owing to
their shy lifestyle these cats seldom are seen in the wild and rarely
come in contact with humans. Attacks on humans are very rare and are
usually in a defensive rather than offensive intent.
Lynx faces a
variety of threats in the wild including habitat encroachment and
poaching for fur. It is considered endangered in certain portions of
its territory, with hunting and trade in its body parts illegal in many
countries. There is some hope for the future though, with recent
increase in sightings and evidence of reduction in the number of pelts
traded annually.
