Among the numerous feline species, only lynx is found in the northern regions. Human activity served as a partial, and in some places complete disappearance of this representative of the animal kingdom in Europe. Today you can meet lynx only in some countries, this wild animal is protected by law in many of them. On the territory of Russia, the Siberian lynx species is widespread, the description of which we will analyze in this article.
The appearance of the animal
Lynx belongs to the cat family and belongs to the order of predators. It looks like a cute animal, but in fact it is a dangerous forest cat. Basically, this species lives in dark coniferous forests. What does the Siberian lynx look like? Let's try to make out in more detail:
- Lynx size is about the same as that of adult large dogs.
- Its body length reaches a maximum of 135 cm, and the tail is approximately 45 cm.
- The head is small in size, rounded in shape.
- The cat has a short muzzle, on which wide eyes shine with rounded pupils.
- Lynx ears are decorated with soft tassels.
- The body is short and dense in structure.
- Long hair hangs on the muzzle of a lynx (on the sides). In their appearance, they resemble whiskers.
- Siberian lynx has very powerful legs with sharp claws, which it uses as a weapon during hunting.
- The length of the claws can reach 10 cm. They look like a curved hook.
- Black pads on the legs of a lynx in the cold period are overgrown with a thick short pile.
- The shape of the sole has a unique structure, which allows the predator to easily move around the snowy expanses.
- The color is diverse and depends on where the lynx lives. Reddish-brown and dark smoky colors are found in individuals living in the forests of Siberia.
The coat of this type of cat is very valuable, because of which the animal often became an object of hunting. Many people are interested in: how much does the Siberian lynx weigh? In nature, individuals were found whose weight reached 30 kg. On average, the weight of males is 18-25 kg, in females this figure does not exceed 18 kg.
Where is the species common?
Lynx is the only species of cats that live in the northern regions of our planet. In the Scandinavian countries, predators were met beyond the Arctic Circle. The habitat of the lynx until the middle of the 20th century was very wide. These cats could be seen in Western and Central Europe. Their numbers declined sharply due to mass shooting. Poachers killed animals because of their valuable fur.
Today you can meet the lynx in such countries of Europe:
- Hungary.
- Spain.
- Macedonia
- Poland.
- Romania.
- Serbia
- Slovenia.
- Czech.
- Sweden.
On Russian territory, Siberian lynx is found in the Sakhalin and Kamchatka regions, and it appeared in these places not so long ago. The main habitat of a wild cat is considered the Siberian taiga.
In Ukraine, such an animal can be seen very rarely and only in the highlands of the Carpathians.
Lifestyle
Lynx (photo) is a predatory animal, and unlike other animals, it has a number of advantages that allow it to survive in the forest. The cat expertly climbs trees, knows how to swim, makes long jumps and runs fast. It lives mainly in dark coniferous forests, but sometimes the animal wanders into the forest-tundra or into the forest-steppe. There were times when the beast was seen outside the Arctic Circle.
If a large number of animals live in the area where the Siberian lynx has settled, the animal can lead a settled life. But as soon as there is a problem with the extraction of food, the cat migrates in search of a vain place.
How does Siberian lynx hunt?
A predatory cat goes hunting exclusively at night. She as carefully as possible approaches the prey, trying to go unnoticed. The lynx is able to hide in the bushes or near a fallen tree, waiting for the animal to approach the predator itself. After waiting for the most acceptable moment (the distance is 10-15 m), the cat rushes to the prey. An attacked beast dies in the legs of a lynx in a matter of minutes, as it bites its sharp fangs into its neck, tearing muscle tissue and arteries. The prey has no chance to stay alive. After eating heavily, the cat hides in the snow or branches what is left of the prey. Very often a wolverine goes for a trot, who cannot boast of such skills in hunting, but loves to eat at someone else's expense.
If we talk about large prey, attacks are not always successful. When attacking a roe deer or deer, a lynx may not be with anything, since the victim is able to drag a predator for some time, and sometimes even slip away from it. But in most cases the lynx hunt ends in victory for the cat.
What does a lynx eat?
The following animals are included in the diet of a predatory cat:
- a fox;
- white hare;
- partridge;
- roe deer and sika deer;
- grouse;
- raccoon dog;
- beaver;
- pig of a wild boar.
In severe winter, with a lack of prey in the forest, the Siberian lynx can leave its usual environment and go to human habitats. Here she attacks pets: cats and dogs.
The predator can not be called voracious, one dead hare is enough for it for half a week, the exception is nursing females who are able to eat such a volume of food at a time. If the cat caught a large animal, meat is enough for 7-10 days.
Lynx breeding
Lynx (photo you can see in the article) is a lonely animal. Only for the breeding season the cats form a pair. The mating season falls at the beginning of March. Lynxes are very quiet at this time. At once, several males can accompany the female, periodically arranging a showdown among themselves.
The formed pair proceeds to the “welcome” stage, sniffing each other. Then they begin to rub their heads, and their actions resemble the butting of cattle. A little later they lick the wool from their partner.
Maturity in female lynx occurs at 2 years, while the male reaches this age at 35 months.
The duration of pregnancy is 65-70 days. The female leads from 2 to 5 kittens in one litter. The expectant mother is thoroughly prepared for childbirth. Most often, she chooses pits, caves in the rocks and other safe places.
At birth, the kittens are blind, and their weight is not more than 350 g. The eyes of small lynxes open on day 12. Within a month, the female feeds them with breast milk, as soon as the babies are stronger and can eat on their own, she accustoms them to a diet that is natural for lynxes.
