In the northern hemisphere of our planet, there are quite large areas where lynxes live. These predatory animals from the cat family can be found not only in forest areas, in subtropical forests, but even in the tundra.
External description
Lynx actually looks like a very large cat, differing only in a short tail and tassels at the tips of the ears. Its weight usually does not exceed 25 kg, and the body length can be from 75 to 130 cm. The body is dense with a small round head. The muzzle is framed by an elongated hard coat, similar to sideburns. The fur is very thick, especially in winter, when the undercoat appears. Most often there are animals with a reddish-gray color and dark spots, randomly located throughout the body. But the color of the coat depends on the species and on where the lynx lives, in which zone, so there may be a different shade.
Limbs in their structure are somewhat different from the cat's. The hind legs of the lynx are longer than the front ones and have only 4 fingers. In winter, the pads are overgrown with thick hair, which allows the animal to easilymove on the snow without falling into the snowdrifts. The paws seem too wide for such a small animal, but it is this structure that helps the predator to hunt successfully, getting food. Beautiful tassels on the ears act as an antenna, thanks to which the lynx perfectly hears the quietest sounds. This animal jumps superbly (up to 4 meters in length), climbs trees and runs very fast. Like all members of the cat family, he is distinguished by strength and extraordinary dexterity.
Varieties
The genus of lynx has several species: Pyrenean, Canadian, red, Eurasian ordinary. The smallest is the red lynx that lives in North America. Its height is no more than 35 cm at the withers. The largest representative of this genus is considered to be the common Eurasian lynx, which lives in almost the entire territory of Russia, including the Arctic, and can be found in completely impassable areas of Siberia. Deep forest, thickets of young growth - these are the places where lynxes live most often.
Significantly inferior in size to the Canadian lynx, which is the closest relative of the Eurasian. This North American cat inhabits almost the entire territory of Canada and the northern American states, preferring to settle in coniferous forests where there is a dense undergrowth.
A special species is the bright-spotted Pyrenean lynx. She is on the verge of extinction. Only in Portugal and southern Spain are these animals still occasionally found. Deforestation has led to the fact that the area where lynxes live is getting smaller. ExceptIn addition, because of the beautiful fur of bright leopard colors, hunters often shoot these animals.
Habitats
Lynx is found on the territory of almost all European countries, as well as in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Greece, China, Azerbaijan and Georgia. On the American continent, the largest number of these predators is observed in the southeastern United States, Canada and Mexico.
In Russia, the largest population of lynx is noted in the taiga regions and in the zone of mixed forests. Relatively recently, animals settled in Kamchatka. Our country is huge, so the areas where the lynx lives in Russia can be at a very remote distance from each other. As a result, animals of the same species can be very different not only in size, but also in color, the degree of spotting.
A favorite place for a lynx is a thicket of young growth - it is most convenient to arrange a den there. Basically, this predator chooses to live in any forests (coniferous, mixed, mountainous), where bears and elks live. Lynx can also be found in the forest-tundra, where there are many shrubs and other low-growing vegetation, and even beyond the Arctic Circle.
What does a lynx eat
This is a predator, respectively, he prefers fresh meat, which requires at least 2-3 kg per day. A variety of animals become the object of hunting - from field mice to roe deer and reindeer. Food depends on the habitat. But the main prey of the lynx is usually the hare. It is from its abundance in the region where lynxes live that their well-being depends. one hare caughtPredator is enough for 4 days. As a rule, she hunts them mainly in winter, when the choice of food is small. In the taiga, wild boars often become the prey of this dexterous beast.
The lynx can deftly and imperceptibly get close to the victim and kill it with one blow of its powerful paw. In addition, the huge fangs of a predator are similar to those of a leopard or leopard. And among the birds there are many victims that fall into these fangs. Usually it is black grouse, capercaillie and hazel grouse.
Lifestyle
Lynx is a solitary animal. She rarely makes any sound in her life. The sharp cry of a lynx, similar to a cat, can only be heard during the rut, which usually happens in February. This animal is extremely cautious. The lynx spends the whole day in its lair, which is located in a deep thicket. Late in the evening she goes hunting. It leads a settled way of life and only when the food resources in the habitat run out, it migrates to another territory. It can travel up to 30 km in a day.
Behaviors
You can find a lot of information about the lynx - what it eats, where it lives, but its unusual habits also deserve attention. For example, this animal eats exclusively fresh meat, disdaining carrion. She never returns to the remains of prey, although she buries them in the ground. Moreover, she does it very casually, and the foxes and wolverines following in her footsteps often use the remnants of the feast.
Each individual has its own territory for hunting. The lynx is differentbloodlust. She hunts almost always and at the same time often kills animals much more than she can eat. The lynx has a particular dislike for foxes, which is caused by food competition. But if you kill a fox, you will never eat it. Hunting for a lynx usually ends in luck. Waiting for her prey on a tree, she rushes at her with lightning. Thanks to the developed hind limbs, the lynx can even catch birds taking off from the ground.
When there is not enough food in the forest, the predator can visit the nearest villages and farms. There, it is not difficult for him to drag a chicken or even a lamb.
Reproduction
During the mating season, the female is accompanied by several males who are constantly in conflict with each other. Pregnancy lasts about 2 months. About 5 hours before giving birth, the lynx begins to make a den. Usually he does it at a height - in hollows of trees or in crevices of rocks. Cubs are born in late April - early May blind, weighing up to 300 grams and open their eyes only after two weeks.
Mother feeds them with her milk for a month, then begins to bring mice, hares to babies. At the age of 3 months, the cubs are already following their mother, and 2 months later, they themselves begin to acquire the first hunting skills. When they turn one year old, the mother drives the lynxes away from her, they begin an independent life. At one and a half years, females become sexually mature, males mature a year later. The average lifespan of a lynx is 15-20 years.
DespiteDespite the fact that there are not so many places on the planet where the lynx does not live in the wild, the population of this animal is declining. The reason lies in the destruction of the natural habitat and the over-hunting of these beautiful animals. In some European countries, they are already almost exterminated.
