Canada Lynx

(Lynx canadensis)

There is one female lynx at the Zoo, Bianca. Bianca was born in 2013 and arrived here in 2014. She also gave birth to a male, Stanley, on June 2, 2022. He now resides at the Trevor School Zoo. The name ‘lynx’ comes from the Greek word “to shine.” This may be in reference to the reflective ability of the cat’s eyes.

Animal Facts

The paws of Canada lynx are webbed, heavily furred and work like snowshoes, distributing the lynx’s weight and helping it move in the snow.

The name ‘lynx’ comes from the Greek word “to shine.” This may be in reference to the reflective ability of the cat’s eyes.

Females and young sometimes hunt for hares cooperatively by spreading out in a line and moving through relatively open areas. Prey scared up by one animal is often caught by others in the line. This method can be successful and is a learning opportunity for the young.

Lynx are mostly crepuscular, but hunt any time of day or night, nocturnal activity is next most frequent, then diurnal

The lynx’s survival in the U.S. is primarily jeopardized by habitat destruction and fragmentation. Attempts to reintroduce lynx from Canada into New York’s Adirondack Mountains failed, mainly because the cats were hit by cars and trucks

Diet

Snowshoe hares are a primary food source. Populations of the two are known to fluctuate in linked cycles with periods of about 10 years. They may also eat rodents, birds and fish. If they can find a deer, or other large ungulate that is very weak or sick, lynx will kill and eat it. They also feed on carcasses left by human hunters.

Status in The Wild

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

Major populations of Canada lynx are found throughout Canada and Alaska, western Montana, and in nearby parts of Idaho and Washington.

Small populations are found in New England, Utah and possibly Oregon, Wyoming and Colorado. Lynx usually live in alpine coniferous or mixed boreal/deciduous forest. They can also be found in more open forests, rocky areas, or tundra. Males occupy distinct territories; home territories of females may overlap.

Lynx are listed in CITES Appendix II. In March 2000, they were listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened in the lower 48 states. The state of Michigan lists the Canada lynx as endangered.In Canada and Alaska, trapping is regulated through closed seasons, quotas, limited entry, and long-term trapping concessions.