International Lynx Day – 11th June
International Lynx Day – 11th June
June 11th is known as International Lynx Day. Lynx is considered as a medium sized cat and it is the biggest wild cat in Europe.
There are four species of Lynxes as the Canada lynx, Iberian lynx, Eurasian lynx, and bobcat. Lynx have a short tail, characteristic tufts of black hair on the tips of their ears, large, padded paws for walking on snow and long whiskers on the face. Body colour varies from medium brown to goldish to beige-white, and is occasionally marked with dark brown spots, especially on the limbs. All species of lynx have white fur on their chests, bellies and on the insides of their legs, fur which is an extension of the chest and belly fur. The lynx’s colouring, fur length and paw size vary according to the climate in their range.
The lynx is usually solitary, although a small group of lynx may travel and hunt together occasionally. Mating takes place in the late winter and once a year the female gives birth to between one and four kittens. The gestation time of the lynx is about 70 days. The young stay with the mother for one more winter, a total of around nine months, before moving out to live on their own as young adults. The lynx creates its den in crevices or under ledges. It feeds on a wide range of animals from white-tailed deer, reindeer, roe deer, small red deer, and chamois, to smaller, more usual prey; snowshoe hares, fish, foxes, sheep, squirrels, mice, turkeys and other birds, and goats. It also eats ptarmigans, voles, and grouse.A majority of Lynx species have recovered from fur trade practices. But the number of Iberian Lynx has declined significantly as the result of the decline in their major food source, Rabbits.
The lynx inhabits high altitude forests with dense cover of shrubs, reeds, and tall grass. Although this cat hunts on the ground, it can climb trees and can swim swiftly, catching fish.
Iberian Lynx is the most endangered wild cat in the world with only 404 individuals left in Iberian Peninsula. Other three species are considered of least concern.
– Source: Internet –