The common lynx (you can see a photo of the animal in our article) is a mammalian predator belonging to the cat family. Usually the size of this cat does not inspire much fear: the fact is that this beast is no larger than an average dog. The body length of the predator does not exceed a meter, and the weight is not more than 18 kg. The appearance of this creature is very extraordinary: a haughty and focused look, graceful ears crowned with long tassels, and hard bulges (“whiskers”) framing the muzzle of this cat.
Crazy cat
All other parts of the lynx's body are not so graceful. Moreover, at first glance, a predator may seem clumsy and awkward: the hind legs are too long, and it seems that there is no tail at all! But the forelimbs are wide and massive for such a relatively small animal. But mother nature did not accidentally reward this wild cat with such a disproportionate body structure. All this helps the animal to survive in the harsh northern conditions.
Table of Ranks
This creature with tassels on its ears, like many other animals, has its closest relatives - its subspecies. The classification of the common lynx includes several subspecies:
- Altai;
- Amur;
- Baikal;
- european;
- Caucasian;
- Carpathian;
- Turkestan;
- Yakut.
It is worth noting that the lifestyle and description of each of these subspecies are practically the same. By the way, the lynx genus is listed in the International Red Book as an endangered species, but more on that later.
Common lynx. Description
Thanks to strong forelegs, the body height of a lynx at the shoulders can reach 65 cm. Thick and massive legs have sharp claws. Their wild cat releases at the moment of attack on its prey or during active tree climbing. Wide paw pads are designed to maintain balance in deep snow. This is especially necessary for the lynx during the hunting season. As mentioned above, due to the awkward structure of the body, the cat is perfectly adapted to life in the harsh taiga forests.
The common lynx (the photo is presented in the article) has a large and rounded head, on which the so-called "whiskers" are noticeable. The head is crowned with triangular ears with tassels at the ends. These brushes are not just decoration, they are a kind of “antenna”. It is she who helps the cat to hear even barely distinguishable sounds. If these tassels, for example, are cut off, then the hearing of the lynx will immediately become dull. Solovers of keeping lynxes as pets should never do this. The color of most of these cats is rusty-red, there are dirty gray spots on the limbs. The belly is white.
Where does this wild cat live?
Well, since this cat is wild, she lives in the forests, and in the northern ones. You can meet this creature all over the planet. The lynx lives in Canada, in the United States of America, on the Scandinavian Peninsula and almost throughout the Russian Federation: the Amur Region and the Altai Territory, the Rostov and Ryazan Regions, the North Caucasus and Yakutia. The common lynx is perhaps the most northern species of all representatives of its genus. For example, in Scandinavia, it is found even beyond the Arctic Circle! This cat can also be found on the territory of Ukraine, but only within tall and large forests of the taiga type. The animal loves dense forests, for example, in the north of Polissia and in the territory of the Carpathians. Unfortunately, single specimens of representatives of this genus of cats have been preserved there.
The same can be said about the European territories. Once the lynx was distributed throughout Europe, but by the middle of the 20th century this animal was completely exterminated in many countries of Western and Central Europe. Currently, successful attempts have been made to revive the population of these cats. For example, the common lynx in the Saratov region has been actively breeding since the second half of the 80s of the last century. Currentlyits habitat in this area covers the northern regions of the Right Bank: Volsky, Khvalynsky, B altic, Voskresensky, Petrovsky.
What does a lynx eat?
As mentioned above, the common lynx is a typical predator of the cat family. The favorite delicacy of these cats are hares, but the predator is not averse to having lunch with small rodents (ground squirrels, voles, beavers), and even birds (black grouse, capercaillie). In special cases, the lynx can attack young deer, roe deer, wild boars and moose. The animal leads a round-the-clock lifestyle, therefore it hunts both during the day (early in the morning) and at night (late in the evening).
When there is enough food, the common lynx leads a sedentary life, and when it is scarce, it wanders from place to place. In one day, a cat easily travels a distance of 30 km, catching the hares already mentioned above, black grouse, small rodents and small ungulates. By the way, occasionally these animals can even attack domestic dogs and cats, as well as foxes. However, the basis of the diet of lynxes is hare.
Why is the lynx so hard to see in nature?
Once Doctor of Biological Sciences N. N. Drozdov said that the lynx is “a creature that is difficult to see in freedom. Rarely anyone in nature manages to get valuable photo and video frames with this cat.” The professor was right, lynxes hunt secretly: in the early morning and at sunset (almost at dusk). These cats, like tigers, prefer to do everything alone and in pre-marked territory. Males are almost indifferent totheir territories and easily tolerate the invasion of other males. At the same time, both individuals try to avoid each other. Females are not as peaceful as males. If two individuals meet on someone's territory, a bloody battle cannot be avoided. That's why this animal so rarely gets into the camera lens.
How does this cat hunt?
Common lynx lies in wait for its prey, hiding near some tree or next to a well-trodden path. When the victim comes to the right distance, the hungry cat makes a lightning jump on her back, biting the prey. According to Professor Drozdov, in the North of America, these creatures prey on almost anything that can move. However, even here, hares remain the favorite delicacy of these cats.
It is curious that in Scandinavia lynxes love to bully reindeer. In areas with a cold climate, the carcasses of animals killed by lynx (for example, deer) become stiff rather quickly, so the cat needs to feast on their meat as soon as possible. Otherwise, her face will literally freeze to the prey! By the way, these cats are afraid of people and always try to avoid meeting with them. But don't abuse it, because driven and injured lynxes become very dangerous and ferocious creatures!
Common lynx in the Red Book
This type of lynx is considered a pest predator. The animal destroys game game even at the moment when it does not want to eat at all!From the point of view of the hunting economy, the common lynx is classified as a commercial fur-bearing animal, which greatly reduces their population. In this regard, the entire genus of lynx is listed in the International Red Book, while the common lynx is listed in the Red Book of the Moscow Region. Why is the common lynx in this book?
The Red Book of the Moscow Region (photo not shown in the article) includes 20 species of different mammals. Among them are 3 special families: bear, marten and cat. Our common lynx belongs to the last family. The Red Book includes certain types of animals for completely different reasons. If we talk about the common lynx, then a sharp decrease in its numbers is due to the illegal actions of hunters-poachers, who, using various cunning methods, track down and lure the animal, after which they shoot it for fur and, of course, tasty meat.
The fact is that lynx meat is tender, tasty and resembles veal. In ancient Russia, such meat was famous for its highest useful qualities and was served on the table exclusively during princely and boyar feasts in the form of an exquisite delicacy. At present, according to already established traditions, it is not customary to eat the meat of predatory animals. But this does not stop the poachers: one of their trophies is still the common lynx. The Red Book of the Moscow Region is a law, and it must be equally observed by everyone!
