In the northern hemisphere of our planet, there are quite significant areas of the territory where lynxes live. These predatory animals from the cat family can be found not only in forest areas, in subtropical forests, but even in the tundra.
External description
The lynx actually looks like a very big cat, differing only in its short tail and tassels at the tips of the ears. Its weight usually does not exceed 25 kg, and the body length can be from 75 to 130 cm. The body is dense with a small round head. The muzzle is framed by an elongated, hard coat, similar to whiskers. The fur is very thick, especially in winter, when the undercoat appears. Most often there are animals with a reddish-gray color and dark spots that are randomly located throughout the body. But the color of the coat depends on the species and on where the lynx lives, in which zone, so there may be a different shade.
The limbs in their structure are somewhat different from feline. The hind legs of the lynx are longer than the front and have only 4 fingers. In winter, the pads are overgrown with thick hair, which allows the animal to easily move around in the snow without falling into the snowdrifts. The paws seem too wide for such a small beast, but it is this structure that helps the predator to hunt successfully, obtaining food. Beautiful tassels on the ears play the role of an antenna, thanks to which the lynx perfectly hears the quietest sounds. This animal jumps superbly (up to 4 meters in length), climbs trees and runs very fast. Like all representatives of the cat family, he is distinguished by strength and extraordinary dexterity.
Varieties
The genus of lynxes has several species: Pyrenean, Canadian, red, Eurasian ordinary. The smallest is the lynx that lives in North America. Its height is no more than 35 cm at the withers. The largest representative of this genus is the Eurasian lynx, which lives almost throughout Russia, including the Arctic, and can be found in completely impassable sections of Siberia. The dense forest, young growths are those places where lynxes live most often.
Significantly inferior in size Canadian lynx, which is the closest relative of the Eurasian. This North American cat inhabits almost the entire territory of Canada and the northern American states, preferring to settle in coniferous forests, where there is a dense undergrowth.
A special species is the brightly spotted Pyrenean lynx. She is on the verge of extinction. Only in Portugal and in the south of Spain are these animals still rare. Deforestation has led to the fact that the territory inhabited by lynxes is becoming smaller. In addition, because of the beautiful fur of bright leopard colors, hunters often shoot these animals.
Habitat
Lynx is found in almost all European countries, as well as in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Greece, China, Azerbaijan and Georgia. On the American continent, the largest numbers of these predators are observed in the southeastern United States, in Canada and Mexico.
In Russia, the largest lynx population is recorded in taiga regions and in the zone of mixed forests. More recently, animals settled in Kamchatka. Our country is huge, so the areas where the lynx lives in Russia can be very distant from each other. As a result, animals of the same species can be very different not only in size, but also in color, degree of spotting.
Thickets of young growth are a favorite place for a lynx - it is most convenient to arrange a den there. Basically, this predator chooses for living any forests (coniferous, mixed, mountain) where bear, elk live. Lynx can also be found in the forest-tundra, where there are many bushes, other low-growing vegetation, and even beyond the Arctic Circle.
What does a lynx eat
This predator, accordingly, he prefers fresh meat, which requires at least 2-3 kg per day. The object of the hunt is a variety of animals - from field mice to roe deer and reindeer. Food depends on the habitat. But the main prey for a lynx is usually a hare. It is from its number in the region where the lynx lives, and their well-being depends. One hare caught by a predator lasts for 4 days. As a rule, she preys on them mainly in winter, when the choice of food is small. In the taiga, wild boars often become the prey of this clever beast.
The lynx can skillfully and imperceptibly get close to the victim and kill it with one blow of its powerful paw. In addition, huge predator fangs are similar to leopard or leopard fangs. And among the birds there are a lot of victims falling into these fangs. Usually it is a black grouse, capercaillie and hazel grouse.
Lifestyle
Lynx is a solitary animal. During her life, she rarely makes any sounds. A sharp cry of a lynx, similar to a feline, can be heard only during the rutting season, which usually happens in February. This animal is extremely careful. The lynx spends all day in its den, which is in the deepest. Late in the evening she goes hunting. He leads a sedentary lifestyle and only when food resources in the habitat are running out, migrates to another territory. In a day it can cover a distance of up to 30 km.
Habits
You can find a lot of information about the lynx - what it eats, where it lives, but its unusual habits also deserve attention. For example, this animal eats exclusively fresh meat for food, disdain carrion. She never returns to the remains of prey, although she buries them in the ground. And he does it very carelessly, and foxes and wolverines following her tracks often use the remnants of a feast.
Each individual has its own territory for hunting. Lynx is bloodthirsty. She almost always hunts and often kills animals much more than she can eat. Lynx has a particular dislike for foxes, which is caused by food competition. But killing a fox will never eat it. Hunt for a lynx usually ends with luck. Waiting for her prey on a tree, she throws herself at her with lightning. Thanks to the developed hind limbs, a lynx can catch even birds taking off from the ground.
When there is not enough food in the forest, the predator can visit the nearest villages and farms. There, it is not difficult for him to drag a chicken or even a lamb.
