Among the numerous species of cats, only the lynx is found in the northern regions. Human activity has served the partial, and in some places, the complete disappearance of this representative of the animal kingdom in Europe. Today you can meet a 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 common, 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 parse in more detail:
- A lynx is about the size of an adult large dog.
- Her body length reaches a maximum of 135cm and her tail is approximately 45cm.
- The head is small, rounded.
- The cat has a short muzzle, on which wide eyes shine with roundedpupils.
- Lynx ears are decorated with soft tassels.
- The body structure is short and dense.
- On the muzzle of a lynx (on the sides) long hair hangs down. In their appearance, they resemble sideburns.
- The Siberian lynx has very powerful paws with sharp claws, which it uses as a weapon while hunting.
- The length of the claws can reach 10 cm. They look like a curved hook.
- Black pads on the paws 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 through the snowy expanses.
- The color is varied and depends on where the lynx lives. Red with a brown tint and dark smoky colors are found in individuals living in the forests of Siberia.
The wool of this cat species is very valuable, because of which the animal often became the object of hunting. Many people are interested in: how much does the Siberian lynx weigh? In nature, there were individuals 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?
Lynxes are the only species of cats that live in the northern regions of our planet. In the Scandinavian countries, the predator was 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 have been drastically reduced due to mass shooting. Poachers killed animals for their valuable fur.
Today you can meet lynx in the following European countries:
- Hungary.
- Spain.
- Macedonia.
- Poland.
- Romania.
- Serbia.
- Slovenia.
- Czech Republic.
- Sweden.
On Russian territory, the Siberian lynx is found in the Sakhalin and Kamchatka regions, and it appeared in these places not so long ago. The main habitat of the wild cat is the Siberian taiga.
On the territory of Ukraine, you can see such an animal 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 skillfully 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 hot spot.
How does the Siberian lynx hunt?
The predatory cat goes hunting exclusively at night. She approaches her prey as carefully as possible, trying to remain unnoticed. The lynx is able to hide in the bushes or near a fallen tree, waiting for the animal itself to approach the predator. After waiting for the most acceptable moment (the distance is 10-15 m), the cat rushes to the prey. The attacked animal dies in the paws of a lynx in a matter of minutes, as it digs into its neck with its sharp fangs, tearing muscle tissues and arteries. The prey has absolutely no chance of staying alive. Having eaten tightly, the cat hides in the snow or branches what is left of the prey. Very often the wolverine follows the lynx, which cannot boast of such hunting skills, but loves to eat at someone else's expense.
When it comes to large prey, attacks are not always successful. When attacking roe deer or deer, the lynx may end up with nothing, since the victim is able to drag the predator along with it for some time, and sometimes completely elude it. But in most cases, the lynx hunt ends in victory for the cat.
What does a lynx eat?
The diet of a predatory cat includes the following animals:
- fox;
- white hare;
- partridge;
- roe deer and sika deer;
- grouse;
- raccoon dog;
- beaver;
- wild boar piglet.
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 cannot be called voracious, one killed hare is enough for her for half a week, with the exception of lactating females who are able to eat such a volume of food at a time. If athe cat caught a large animal, the meat is enough for 7-10 days.
Lynx breeding
Lynx (you can see the photo in the article) is a loner animal. Only during the breeding season do cats form a pair. The mating season is at the beginning of March. At this time, lynxes are very quiet. Several males can accompany a female at once, periodically arranging a showdown among themselves.
The formed couple moves to the "greeting" stage, sniffing each other. Then they begin to rub their heads, and their actions resemble the butting of cattle. A little later, they lick their partner's fur.
A female lynx reaches sexual maturity at 2 years old, while a male lynx reaches this age at 35 months.
The duration of pregnancy is 65-70 days. The female brings from 2 to 5 kittens in one litter. The expectant mother prepares thoroughly for childbirth. Most often, she chooses pits, caves in the rocks and other safe places.
At birth, kittens are blind, and their weight is no more than 350 g. The eyes of small lynxes open on the 12th day. Within a month, the female feeds them with breast milk, as soon as the babies are strong and can eat on their own, she teaches them to the natural diet for lynxes.
Lynx at home
It is very difficult to unequivocally answer how dangerous the Siberian lynx is at home. Breeding wild animals is a serious step, and a person who decides to do this should approach this issue with all responsibility and understanding.
Lynx maintenance istroublesome and costly business. A wild cat cannot eat like a normal pet. Her diet must include fish and meat. It is important to give bones to the predator, chewing them, the cat will develop the jaw muscles.
Since the claws of a wild animal are very sharp, it is necessary to trim them regularly. Like domestic cats, lynx often swallows hairballs, so you need to constantly care for and comb it.
No matter how cute the animal may seem, having such a pet in a family with small children is not recommended. A predator is always a predator. The owner has no guarantees that forgotten instincts will not wake up in a wild pet.
