Canada Lynx
Basic Information:
Scientific Name: Lynx canadensis
Habitat: Canada Lynx can be found in cold boreal forests within Canada and Alaska.
Diet: Canada Lynx will eat small rodents and birds, but predominately hunt snowshoe hare.
Size: 1.5 to 2 feet tall / 2.5 to 3.5 feet long
Weight: 18 to 24 pounds
Lifespan: 14.8 years according to AZA Species Survival Statistics
Distribution Map:
I.U.C.N. Conservation Status:
What does this mean?
Least Concern – a species determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (I.U.C.N.) to be pervasive, abundant, and thriving.
Our Canada Lynx:
Denali (Female) – Born May 15, 2018
About the Canada Lynx
Historically, the Canada lynx ranged from Alaska across Canada and into many of the northern U.S. states. The lynx’s gradual disappearance from the contiguous U.S. results from human activities that have compromised both the lynx and its habitat. Snowmobile trails and roads pose problems for lynx because these packed-snow pathways give high-country access to cougar and coyote (which can eat lynx), and bobcat (which compete with lynx)
Did You Know?!
- Canada Lynx have excellent eyesight; They can spot a mouse at 250 feet! Also, the black tufts of hair at the tops of their ears serve to enhance their already phenomenal hearing.
- Canada Lynx can only sustain populations where there are adequate snowshoe hare populations.
- Not being a good runner, but having a rather clumsy gallop, lynx often ambush prey from ledges and trees. When stalking prey, they move to within pouncing distance before striking.
- Snowshoe hares are a primary food source. Populations of the two are known to fluctuate in linked cycles with periods of about 10 years. They may also eat rodents, birds and fish. If they can find a deer, or other large ungulate that is very weak or sick, lynx will kill and eat it. They also feed on carcasses left by human hunters.
- Male Canada lynx occupy distinct territories; territories of females Canada lynx may overlap.
- They are good climbers and with their long, powerful legs may jump 4.5 m from a walking or standing start.
- Canada Lynx generally cover 2.5 miles per day in their regular travels. In Canada, scientists have measured daily traveling distances ranging from about 0.5 to around 12 miles