The Cat Survival Trust

The Canadian Lynx

Felis (Lynx) canadensis Kerr

Contents
	Description Distribution Diet Behaviour Reproduction Conservation Status Captive Breeding and Canadian Lynx in Captivity Further Reading

Photo: Sue Barr

Description

Only half the size of the Eurasian Lynx, this species is specially adapted for life in the snow, having large, spreading feet which support its weight in conditions which would confound the smaller bobcat. The fur is reddish-brown to grey, the hairs being tipped with white, producing a "frosted" appearance. The legs are long and the tail almost vestigial.
The Newfoundland animals are sometimes considered to be a separate subspecies, F. (L.) c. subsolanus.

Principal dimensions

	Overall	Males	Females
Head and body lengths (cm)	80-100
Height at shoulder (cm)
Tail lengths (cm)	5-14
Weight (Kg)	5-18	10.7	8.9

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Distribution and Habitats

The Canadian lynx “takes over” where the Bobcat reaches its northern limit. Mainly found in Canada and Alaska, it ranges south into the USA along the Rocky Mountains, with a few animals (possibly vagrants) being found elsewhere in the USA.
Lynxes are forest animals, only occasionally being found on farmland close to forested areas. They have been found rarely as far north as the tundra and arctic islands.
The map shows the present distribution of Canadian Lynx in grey.
The map is based on information in the Wild Cats Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan published by the IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group in 1996. See our Books page for more details.

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Diet

The prey of the Canadian Lynx consists almost entirely of Snowshoe Hares and its population fluctuates with a ten-year cycle, as does that of the hare, but with about a two-year lag. No other cat is so dependent on a single prey species, although in times of hare shortage it will turn to other prey such a small rodents or ground birds.

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Behaviour

The Canadian lynx appears to prefer lying in ambush rather than actively hunting its prey although both methods are used, the more active probably being used mainly when prey is scarce.
It begins eating at the head end of the hare, often burying the hinder part and returning to it later.
Canadian Lynx is also a scavenger, often feeding from the carcases of moose, caribou and other ungulates which have succumbed to other predators or to natural causes.

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Reproduction

Up to 6 kittens are born, usually during May or June, the number apparently varying in response to the abundance of prey. The gestation period is between 63 and 70 days.
The kittens are independent of their mothers after about 10 months, at which age some females are also able to reproduce. More usually the first litters are produced in the second year, at which stage both sexes are sexually mature.

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Conservation Status

Within Canada, lynxes are not in danger of extinction anywhere except in New Brunswick. Trapping is still practised over most of the range, but it is controlled by a quota system and is not, at present, a threat to the survival of the species.
The status of the lynx in USA is uncertain and controversial. There appears to be no protection in states where the species is not definitely known to reside, a situation which almost guarantees that it will not widen its range there.

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