Lynx

Canada Lynx
(Lynx canadesis)

The Canada Lynx was listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2000 for the lower 48 states of the U.S. The Canada lynx is a mid-sized cat with long tufts on its ears, long legs and a short black tipped tail. Canada Lynx are much more prevalent in Canada and Alaska.

Canada Lynx Fun Facts:

• Canada Lynx have large paws that act as build-in snowshoes for walking across snow. While Canada lynxs and bobcats are similar in size and are related, the Canada Lynx's paws are almost twice as big as the bobcats.

• Canada Lynx generally weigh between 18 to 23 pounds and are 30 to 35 inches long.

• Canada Lynx main food source is the snowshoe hare. It is estimated that the lynx eats around 150 to 200 snowshoe hare a year but they also eat mice, squirrels and grouse especially during the summer.

• Female lynx have 3 to 4 kittens around June and stay with her young until mid-winter. Male lynx take no part in caring for the young.

While populations of Canada Lynx have been reported in many Northern National Parks in the lower 48 states they are very shy and generally hunt during the night so it is very rare to see one in the wild. However Alaskan National Parks have larger populations of the Canada Lynx and I actually saw one during the day in late July just off the main Denali National Park road.

Isle Royal National Park Photo

United States Fish and Wildlife Service Photo


Wrangell - St. Elias National Park Photo

Contact Us    Privacy Policy