CANADIAN LYNX

Felis Canadensis

DISTRIBUTION: Canada and Alaska and the northern United States as far as Oregon in the West and New England in the East.

HABITAT: High forest, preferably coniferous, with thick undergrowth. Each individual establishes a territory varying from 55-75 square miles.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Adults weigh 22 to 40 lbs. Height at the shoulder 24 in. Length from nose to base of tail 32-40 in. The female is slighly smaller than the male. Long legs, large paws, short broad head with tufted ears and flaring cheek fur. Short compact body. Short tail. Coat forms a bushy ruff at neck. Fur color varies from pale cream through browns to black with a lighter shade on the underparts. Summer coat is thin with black spots. Winter coat is soft and dense up to 4 in. long and is usually lacking spots.

HABITS: Nocturnal. Usually solitary except for females and young. Hunts at dusk helped by excellent sense of hearing and sight. Prefers to stalk and capture prey in one pounce than to chase it. Will track prey for many miles. Excellent swimmer and climber. Establishes extensive territory boundaries by scratching, with feces and urine.

REPRODUCTION: Breeds in late winter to early spring. Gestation is 60 days. Altricial kittens but well furred, open eyes at 10-12 days, weaned at 2 months. Kittens remain dependent on mother for food for 9 or 10 months. Female sexually mature at one year, males at 1.5 years.

POPULATION: Still relatively abundant due to their elusive nature and remoteness of habitat. Enemy is man.

DIET: Natural; showshoe hares comprise 80-90% of the diet. Will take mice and birds when available.