Red Lynx is a beautiful animal that lives in nature on the east and west coast of the United States, southern Canada and central Mexico. People often hunt her, because the population is high and there is no ban on shooting.
Appearance
This animal is also called red lynx. In length, it reaches 50-80 centimeters. In height - 30-35 centimeters. The red lynx can weigh from 6 to 11 kilograms.
Although the color of her coat is reddish brown with a gray tint, there are also completely white or black individuals. It is very similar to an ordinary lynx, but not so large. Her legs are shorter and narrower. In winter, they are covered with long and thick hair, which gives the animal the opportunity to move in deep snow.
On the inner side of the short and curved tail, the red lynx has a white mark. The tail has a length of 20-35 centimeters. Her head is round, the muzzle is short. There are tassels at the ends of the ears. Thick hair grows around the edges of the muzzle, forming sideburns. The red lynx molts, the description of which is in this article, in the spring and autumn. Her coat is soft, silky.
What eats
To get food, this wild animal goes hunting. The red lynx always attacks from behind. At first she creeps for her victim for a long time and when she crawls at a distance of one jump, pounces on her and kills. To do this, she bites through the carotid artery or simply breaks her neck.
Most of the diet of the red lynx is hare. 1/3 of its food is ground squirrels, porcupines, mice, squirrels, field voles and other small rodents. Sometimes she attacks deer, goats, and even domestic dogs and cats. Of course, farmers do not like lynx attacks on livestock, so they prey on it. Thus, they become owners of valuable fur.
In hungry times, the red lynx can eat insects, bats, snakes, plant fruits. Sometimes she has to eat carrion or steal prey from hunting traps. The more food, the higher the number of red lynx. Its peacefulness also depends on this factor. If there is little food, then fights often occur between individuals. For an adult male, a sufficient portion is 2.5-3 kilograms. Sometimes he eats 5-6 kilograms. Moreover, predators of similar parameters eat much more.
One hare is enough for an adult for 2-4 days. The red-haired lynx will be roe deer alone in 3-4 days. But on the carcass of a sika deer will have to work hard for 1.5 weeks. The red lynx does not start hunting until it has finished the previous prey. She sometimes hides the remains in the ground. Often she has to drive foxes and wolverines from her territory, who strive to feast on the meat she has obtained.
Lifestyle
This animal is often called the lynx of North America, although it lives not only there. In general, this lynx can live in the desert, and in the swamps, and in the rocks, and on the plains. Even big snows do not bother her. The main habitat is spruce-fir forests. Taiga, forest-steppe and forest-tundra are also suitable for living a red lynx.
It is almost impossible to meet her in the afternoon, because she goes on a hunt early in the morning or late in the evening, at dusk. Although in the winter, she can hunt in the afternoon. But the lynx is not only hunting, but also resting. To do this, she chooses habitual places and often walks along the same trodden paths. Often the lynx described in this article climbs into trees. There she can hide from persecution. From danger, the red lynx runs off in big jumps or climbs higher. In order for the hunt to be successful, this animal has everything that is needed.
It's a cat
A muscular body and strong paws allow it to jump over high obstacles and jump forward for considerable distances. Excellent eyesight and excellent hearing allow you to track prey. Although the sense of smell of a red lynx is weak. Sharp claws pierce the victim and prevent her from leaving. They help to climb trees. During the hunt, the lynx hides its tracks. She walks, stepping with her paws so as to leave as few prints as possible.
The red lynx described in this article can arrange shelters in hollows, among rocks and shrubs. Her behavior resembles a domestic cat. If the animal is angry, his ears are pinched, and the tail goes from side to side. Interestingly, a lynx kitten can be tamed. If you take him to the house as a kid, he will get used to people and become completely home.
Personal space
The red lynx is a solitary animal. Males and females share the territory in which they live alone. But on the territory of the male, females with cubs can live. Animals mark their sites with urine and excrement, and also leave claw marks on the trees. A male may have an area of 100 square kilometers. Females own a smaller territory - 50 square kilometers. If the female is ready for breeding, the smell of her urine changes, so the male learns about it.
Breeding
This usually happens with the onset of spring. If all the females living in the male are ready for mating, then he will mate with everyone. During pregnancy, which lasts about 53 days, the female prepares a shelter for herself and future lynxes. She lays her lair with moss and leaves. The lynx kitten immediately after birth is blind and helpless. Eyes in babies open on 7-9 days.
Piglets feed on breast milk for 2-2.5 months. In total, up to 6 babies are born in the litter. Lynx kitten needs care. Mother patiently takes care of him, licks, warms, protects from danger. If the lair where the mother lives with lynxes is discovered by enemies, then she will transfer the kids to a safe place.
