Red Lynx. Social structure and reproduction

The red lynx (lat. Lynx rufus) is a predatory mammal from the Felidae family. Presumably it comes from. About 2.6 million years ago, its ancestors arrived on the American continent from Eurasia through the Bering Strait. The modern population formed about 20 thousand years ago.

The red lynx is a traditional hunting object for indigenous Indian peoples North America. In their mythology, she is often contrasted with the coyote, who often personifies the pale-faced settlers from Europe.

The population size is estimated at 750-1500 thousand individuals. The species was first described in 1777 by the German zoologist Johann Christian von Schreber.

Spreading

To date, 12 subspecies have been identified. Due to the lack of geographical barriers between them and minor morphological differences, such taxonomy is rather arbitrary. The most common subspecies are L.r. rufus and L.r. escuinapae. The latter is found only in Mexico.

Its habitat extends from southern Canada through almost the entire United States to the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Bobcats last years are not observed in the eastern and midwestern United States, where, due to intensive management Agriculture practically destroyed them natural environment a habitat.

Most often, predators are found in the states of Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa and Missouri. Until recently, they were found in Pennsylvania and even in the central part of New York state in the vicinity of the city of Syracuse.

In the north, the border of the range lies in the snowfall zone. This species, in contrast, does not know how to move on a snowy surface and is not adapted to exist in a cold climate.

He does not have thick hair on his paws, which allows him to avoid falling into snowdrifts. For this reason, he cannot develop sufficient speed in the snow. In a number of Canadian provinces, both species occupy the same territories, periodically mate and produce fertile offspring.

In Northern and Central Mexico, the red lynx lives in dry bush, coniferous and oak forests. The southern border of the range is located between subtropical and tropical zone. In general, the animal easily adapts to changing conditions, found both in lowland savannas and in mountainous areas, the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachians. It often settles near human dwellings and populated areas.

Behavior

Lynx rufus leads night look life. She becomes active about 3 hours before sunset and hunts until midnight. Then he rests a little and continues hunting closer to dawn. 2 hours after dawn, activity stops. During the day, the predator runs a distance of 4 to 11 km. In winter, habits change, and she often goes fishing in daytime. This is due to changes in the behavior of their victims.

Each adult animal occupies a certain territory, the size of which depends on its gender and the abundance of game. He marks his possessions with urine, feces and claw marks on trees.

He has several shelters. Usually this is one main den and several additional ones at the edge of the hunting area. The shelter is located in hollows, bushes or in the ground under stones. Each such shelter exudes a strong aroma of its owner.

The area of ​​land, depending on the area, can be from 1 to 326 square meters. km. On average, males occupy about 20 square meters. km, and females are about half as large. In young individuals, the area rarely exceeds 6-7 square meters. km. During winter food shortages it increases significantly.

Although representatives of this species are considered hermits, they are tolerant of their relatives, which is rare among felines. Males like to visit each other, then something like a social hierarchy is established between them.

Females are more prone to loneliness and do not enter other people's lands. Several females sometimes live in the territory of one male. Usually there is about 13 square meters per animal. km of land. Animals swim well, but do it reluctantly and avoid water in every possible way.

Nutrition

The red lynx can go without food for a long time, but at the same time it is able to eat a lot at one time. When there is little food, the predator hunts for large game, leaving some of the meat for subsequent hungry days.

The hunt is carried out from ambush. Victims are overtaken by jumping from above or running short. Most often they become mammals weighing 0.7-5.7 kg.

These include rabbits, hares and rodents. Birds, fish and insects end up on the dinner table a little less often. Sometimes small ones are killed livestock and a bird. The most common hunts are lambs, geese and ducks.

Every year, lynx kill about 10 thousand sheep in the United States. They can relatively easily handle prey that is 8 times their own weight.

In winter, predators successfully hunt deer, when other prey is difficult to kill. They sneak up on resting deer and gnaw their throats. The uneaten parts of the carcass are buried under leaves or snow, returning to it as hunger occurs.

Reproduction

Sexual maturity occurs in the second year of life, although some females bear offspring already in the first. Males are ready to reproduce from September until early summer. The dominant male mates with the female for several days. This usually happens in winter and in early spring. During the mating season, the quiet and cautious animal makes a wide variety of loud sounds.

The female feeds the offspring alone. Pregnancy lasts 60-70 days. 2-4 kittens are born from April to May. They weigh 280-340 g, and their body length is about 25 cm. Sometimes there is a second litter in September. Childbirth takes place in a secluded place, usually in a narrow cave or hollow tree.

Babies are born blind and helpless.

Their eyes open after 9-10 days. Month-old lynx cubs begin to explore the surroundings. Milk feeding continues until the age of two months. At 3-5 months, lynx cubs travel with their mother and learn all the necessary skills.

IN one year old they begin to exist independently. Bobcats are hunted by owls, eagles, coyotes and foxes. When the opportunity arises, they are also killed by males. Cannibalism occurs during periods of food shortage and is quite rare, so it has a negligible effect on the population size.

Description

The red lynx is the smallest representative of the Lynx genus. The body length is 70-120 cm, the tail is 10-18 cm. Height at the withers is 36-38 cm. Weight is 7-14 kg. Females are about a quarter smaller than males. One-year-old animals weigh about 4.5 kg.

The body is muscular, the hind legs are longer than the front legs. The front part of the head is wide, surrounded by a collar of long hair. The fur is delicate, long and thick. The nose is pink-red, the eyes are yellow with black pupils that dilate at night. Vision, hearing and smell are very well developed.

Camouflage color depends on the habitat. The predominant color is gray-brown with black spots and stripes.

The beard, cheeks and belly are white. Individuals living in desert and semi-desert areas have lighter fur. Occasionally, completely black specimens are found predominantly in Florida, but upon careful examination, characteristic patterns are visible.

Life expectancy of a lynx wildlife about 10 years. In captivity good care they live to be 26-32 years old.

Lynx (lat. Felis lynx)- the most northern of the cat species. In many European countries it has been completely or almost completely exterminated. Nowadays it is found only in Russia, Finland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Spain, Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece, and Ukraine in the Carpathians. This is a typical cat the size of a large dog. The body is short, dense, 80-105 cm long. The weight of the animal is 8-15 kg. Moreover, in northern regions lynxes are larger, long-haired, and in the southern regions they are, as a rule, smaller and have shorter hair.

photo:John Dryzga

The tail is 20-35 cm long with a chopped end. The ears are triangular, pointed, with tassels growing at the ends. The paws are long, strong, very wide, especially the front ones. In winter they grow from below long hair and become like skis, so the specific load on the support of the lynx is several times less than that of other cats. This, along with high legs, serves as an adaptation to movement on loose, deep snow.

The head is small and round. The elongated hair on the sides of the muzzle forms "whiskers". The muzzle is short, the eyes are wide, the pupils are vertical. Shedding occurs twice a year: in spring and autumn. Lynx fur has no equal among cats - very thick, tall, and silky. Especially long hair on the belly.

Lynx appearance

photo: Josh Leonard

The color of the upper body and head is predominantly grayish-red with a bluish-silver or reddish tint. There are brown speckles on the back and sides. The belly is pure white with sparse speckling. Summer fur is coarser and shorter than winter fur. It is more intensely colored. The tail always has a dark tip. IN dark color The ear tuft is also colored, while the back of the ears, sideburns and eye rims are usually whitish. In northern lynxes, the coloring is more uniform and dull, the spots are rather weakly expressed. Lynxes living in southern Europe are brightly colored, with pronounced spotting.

Lynx distribution

photo: Wayne Dumbleton

Lynx is a forest animal. In most of its range, it prefers closed, spruce-fir forests with dense undergrowth. Particularly favorable for lynx are areas with dissected terrain - low and middle mountains with gullies and deeply cut river valleys. The lynx avoids small trees.

It is also found in low-growing forests with thickets of bushes, in forest-steppe, forest-tundra, mountain rocks, but most often in the zone of the southern low-mountain taiga, where it is not as snowy and cold as in the northern coniferous forests, and quite a lot of different animals that you can hunt. Lynx loves mountain forests with rocky places.

Lynx lifestyle and nutrition

The lynx, like any predator, lives where there is enough food. Wide migrations are not typical for it. The basis of its diet consists of white hares, black grouse, partridges, rodents, and small ungulates. Lynx - excellent hunter. During the day she rests in the den, and at dusk she goes hunting. Only young animals can hunt during the day. During the night the animal travels from 6 to 10 km. When there is a lack of prey, the hunting route increases. In winter, the predator walks very widely on the hard crust; deep, loose snow forces it to use the paths of other animals, old ski tracks and roads, and ice on rivers.

The lynx also knows how to hide its tracks. When the snow cover is not continuous, the animal deftly steps over snowless spots, leaving no traces. The lynx has very fine hearing and sharp vision. The sense of smell is weak, but a lynx can find its prey using a fresh trail. The lynx is cautious, but not cowardly. Frightened, she leaves in large leaps or jumps onto the nearest tree or rock. Hearing a suspicious noise from afar, he leaves slowly, stopping often and listening. Despite all the caution, the lynx is not very afraid of people. In times of famine, she enters villages and cities in search of food.

The lynx most often hunts alone, but a mother lynx with grown-up lynx cubs often organizes a group hunt in winter. The lynx walks completely silently, merging with the background of the area. Having discovered a fresh trail or seen prey, the lynx very patiently sneaks up on it. The lynx hunts by stealth, that is, it approaches the prey at the shortest possible distance, favorable for a lightning-fast throw. Having approached a distance of about 10-15 meters, the lynx covers it with several jumps 2-3 meters long.

If the attack is not immediately successful, the huntress makes a dozen more shorter jumps into the hijack, which most often ends in nothing. Having rushed at large prey, the lynx digs its claws into the front of its body, and torments its neck or throat with its teeth. The victim, maddened by pain, drags the predator on him for some time until he falls from the wounds inflicted.

Lynx eats quite a bit. In winter, a male eats 2.5-3 kg of meat per day, and if the animal is hungry, up to 5-6 kg.

photo:Martien Uiterweerd

Usually an adult animal catches and eats a hare once every 2-4 days; a brood of this amount of food is only enough for one day. A lynx kills a killed roe deer in 3-4 days, and kills a hunted sika deer for up to a week and a half. A well-fed lynx can even stay with a hare for several days until it eats it entirely, so as not to waste energy on a new hunt. She buries the uneaten remains of her prey with snow or earth.

But she does it so sloppily that her supplies are very quickly stolen by smaller predators - sable, weasel. The wolverine also follows the lynx, as a more successful hunter, and sometimes drives it away from its freshly caught prey. The lynx itself often chases foxes, preventing them from hunting in their area. The lynx, like a more successful hunter, is followed by and sometimes drives it away from a freshly caught victim.

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The bobcat, or red lynx, is a predatory animal that lives in North America. Some may know it as a bobcat. Despite its modest size, the red lynx is the largest predatory cat in its habitat. For many years now it has presented a mystery to zoologists. It is not easy to see and track it, although the lynx is not afraid of humans. That is why any piece of information obtained about her is valuable.

general description

The bobcat is a relative of the common lynx, but is half the size. Body length rarely reaches 90 cm, and weight ranges from 6 to 16 kg. Among individuals of this species, representatives with a weight of approximately 10 kg are most often found.

Its fur is brownish-red in color with big amount pigment (because of this, the bobcat is sometimes called red). Dark spots are scattered throughout the fur, helping the animal camouflage against the background of foliage and tall grass. In Florida, there are individuals with an exclusively black color. There are also known cases of albinism among lynxes. The tail is quite short relative to the body and is 15 cm. There is a white mark on it, by which the bobcat can be distinguished from other related species.

The uniqueness of this type of lynx is that it does not have tufts on its ears. However, there are small dark panicles at their tips. It is they that make it possible to distinguish it from the sand cat, whose appearance has much in common with the appearance of the bobcat. The muzzle of a lynx is strikingly reminiscent of the muzzle of a domestic cat, with the difference that in a wild animal it is much larger, and there are woolen outgrowths on both sides. The pupil is elongated, the eye color is yellow. The red lynx has a rather massive and wide nose, on both sides of which the fur is light in color.

The body of the red lynx is very strong and lean. Prey caught in these developed paws has no chance of getting back out, and the structure of the limbs allows the bobcat to make jumps 5 m long, overtaking the pursued target in no time.

Spreading

The habitat of this animal is entirely located on the American continent, which is a rather atypical phenomenon. The red lynx lives in the USA, in the South and West of Canada, near southern Mexico. Despite their fairly widespread distribution, these cats are endangered due to uncontrolled extermination by humans.

Lifestyle

The bobcat's preferences in choosing housing are quite varied. The animal can settle both in arid areas and in swampy lowlands or forest thickets. Some individuals settle near human habitation and spend their entire lives among the cultural landscape (conditions created by humans). Despite the fact that these animals have perfectly mastered climbing trees, they do not use them for permanent habitat, preferring to move up in case of danger or heat. They also swim quite rarely, preferring to do so only in the summer in order to cool down.

Although the red lynx occupies a dominant position in size, it is not the main predator of the continent and has natural enemies. These include the Canadian lynx, puma and jaguar, a meeting with which can result in death for a bobcat.

The basis of the red lynx's diet is food of animal origin. She enjoys hunting rabbits, mice, porcupines and gophers. Sometimes a bobcat is strong enough to overpower a white-tailed deer or livestock, but such cases are extremely rare. The red lynx moves out to find prey at dusk. However, in northern latitudes There is less opportunity for her to obtain high-calorie food, so the bobcat uses any time of day to hunt if potential food is nearby.

After eating, the animal prefers to rest. If there is anything left from the meal, she carefully hides the traces of the recent feast. Like some other types big cats, the red lynx is capable of hiding food on tree branches.

For the red lynx, an important task is to protect the territory, for which the males scratch trees and make marks with urine. One animal can occupy an area of ​​100 sq. km, and this is far from the limit. Females occupy approximately 50 square meters. km and defend their possessions as fiercely as the males. Several males can divide the border territory and provide their habitat for 3 females. Animals use the smell of urine to demonstrate their readiness to mate.

Reproduction

The breeding season begins with the first warm days spring. Female red lynx carry a fetus for 53 days, after which a litter of several blind kittens is born. Babies begin to see the light on days 7-9, after which they feed on mother’s milk for another 2 months. The milk of a female bobcat is very fatty and thick, it contains a high concentration of nutrients. Bobcats treat kittens with care, constantly licking them. The female is always ready to take care of the offspring and, in case of danger, will move small predators to a new shelter.

Throughout the entire time, the male feeds all the females living on his territory. He will give them part of the spoils, even if he himself goes hungry. It's pretty unique phenomenon, which is rare among other representatives of the animal world. For some time, the female does not allow the male to approach the hole, preferring to take food in neutral territory. But when the kittens grow up a little and get stronger, the male is allowed to bring food directly to the shelter and leave the meat for the cubs to feed.

Raising growing lynxes is important element female life. When the cubs reach the age of several months, she leaves the hole with them and begins to walk them in her own territory, teaching them the basics of hunting and protection from natural enemies. At about six months, the kittens already go out for their first prey, which takes place under the strict control of the mother. This develops their endurance, providing physical activity. Throughout the entire period of growing up, kittens play with each other, which is also an important component of their physical development.

Hunting

The red lynx does not hunt in a pack, preferring to do this activity alone. Interesting feature bobcat and other lynxes are that they can ambush and wait in hiding for an unsuspecting prey. The lynx always kills its prey in the same way: first it gnaws the carotid artery and then breaks the neck. The spontaneity of the attack allows her to hunt animals that are significantly larger than her.

Threat of extinction

The skin of a red lynx is a valuable trophy, fetching several thousand dollars on the black market. And the lynx’s secretiveness and fearlessness in front of humans only adds excitement to poachers. Another reason why this species is hunted is the damage bobcats cause to farms. They attack birds and small animals, which is why farmers, at the first opportunity, try to eliminate the animal that has gotten into the habit of visiting their lands.

On this moment The red lynx is listed in the Red Book as a species that is threatened with complete extermination. Attempts are being made to restore the bobcat population and reproduce the individuals present in zoos, but so far these efforts have not brought much results.

1. The lynx develops the same speed in water as a person, and can also dive for a short time.
2. IN early age The red lynx lends itself well to training and taming, so the kitten has every chance of becoming a full-fledged pet, which is kept outside the cage.
3. The average lifespan of a bobcat in the wild is 18 years, in captivity – 30 years.
4. Individuals of red lynx living in northern latitudes (for example, in Canada) are noticeably larger than their southern counterparts.
5. In the first year of growing up, kittens gain an average of 25 grams of weight per day.
6. When jumping and walking, the red lynx places its hind legs exactly in the place where its forelimbs were located a second ago. Despite the ability to develop high speeds of movement, the lynx will not be able to pursue prey for a long time. If it was not possible to grab the victim in the first 30 seconds, then it will most likely leave it alone.

Video: Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

Order - Carnivora (Carnivora)
Family – Felidae

Red lynx (Lynx rufus)

Appearance:

Outwardly, it is a typical lynx, but smaller: half the size common lynx, not so long-legged and broad-legged, since it does not need to walk in deep snow, but has a shorter tail. Its body length is 60-80 cm, height at the withers is 30-35 cm, weight is 6-11 kg. The general color tone is reddish-brown with gray tint. Unlike other lynxes (such as the Canada lynx or the common lynx), the red lynx has white markings on its inside the tip of the tail, whereas in other lynxes it is completely black. Southern subspecies have more black markings than northern ones. There are individuals who are completely black (melanistic) and white(albinos), and the first ones are only in Florida.

Habitat:

The bobcat is found from extreme southern Canada to central Mexico and from the east to west coasts of the United States.

Lifestyle:

The red lynx is found in both subtropical forests, and in arid desert areas, swampy lowlands, coniferous and deciduous forests and even in the cultural landscape and surroundings big cities. Leads an earthly twilight lifestyle. It goes hunting in the evening and early in the morning. In winter it is also found in daylight hours days. The red lynx has favorite resting places and trails that it constantly uses. It climbs trees well, but climbs them only in search of food and shelter. Able to jump over high obstacles. Vision and hearing are well developed. Hunts on the ground, sneaking up on prey. The lynx holds its prey with its sharp claws and kills it with a bite to the base of the skull. At one time, an adult animal eats up to 1.4 kg of meat. He hides the remaining surplus and returns to it the next day. When walking, the red lynx places its hind paws exactly in the tracks left by its front paws. Soft pads on the legs help to quietly sneak up on prey at close range.

Nutrition:

The main food of the red lynx is the American rabbit. It also feeds on snakes, mice, rats, gophers and porcupines. Sometimes it attacks birds (wild turkeys, domestic chickens) and even white-tailed deer. Occasionally - on small domestic animals.

Reproduction:

A female can have up to two litters per year (in spring and late summer).
The female makes a den for her kittens in caves, piles of stones or in the cavities of trees. There is evidence that both parents are involved in raising offspring. Breeding season is February-June. Puberty occurs in females at one year, in males at two years. Pregnancy lasts 50-70 days. There are up to 6 blind kittens in a litter (usually 2-4). The weight of newborns is up to 340 g. On the 10th day, the eyes open. Lactation lasts up to 8 weeks. Kittens gain 25 g in weight per day. From 3 to 5 months. kittens go hunting with their mother. At 9 months of age, they are completely independent and acquire their own hunting area.

Our pets:

The red lynx Lapa was born in 2011 at the Novosibirsk Zoo. Red lynxes are half the size of their Siberian counterparts. But despite their miniature appearance, they are aggressive, capricious and excellent hunters.

Lynx (lat. Lynx) - genus carnivorous mammals the cat family, which is divided into several species:

* Eurasian(common) lynx (lat. Lynx lynx)

* Canada lynx(lat. Lynx canadensis); some sources consider it a subspecies of the common lynx

* Red Lynx(lat. Lynx rufus)

* Spanish(Iberian) lynx (lat. Lynx pardinus)

There is also a caracal (lat. Caracal caracal) - steppe lynx, which is separated into a separate genus, despite its external similarity with lynxes.

Eurasian lynx is the largest of all lynxes, body length 80-130 cm and 70 cm at the withers. Males often weigh from 18-30 kg, females weigh on average 18.1 kg. The body, like that of all lynxes, is short and dense. The paws are large and well furred in winter, which allows the lynx to walk on the snow without falling through. There are long tassels on the ears. The tassels on the ears, which distinguish the lynx from other cats, are by no means just decoration - they serve as a kind of antennas, helping the animal to pick up even very quiet sounds. If you cut off the tassels, the lynx's keen hearing is immediately dulled. The tail is short, as if chopped off.

There are many color variations of the lynx, depending on the geographical area - from reddish-brown to fawn-smoky, with more or less pronounced spotting on the back, sides and paws. On the belly, the hair is especially long and soft, but not thick and almost always pure white with sparse specks. Southern forms are usually more red, their hair is shorter, and their paws are smaller.

The lynx's track is typically cat-like, with no claw marks. Hind paw When she steps, she follows the trail of the front. If several trots are walking, then the hind ones step exactly in the tracks of the front ones.

The Eurasian lynx is the northernmost of the cat species; in Scandinavia it is found even beyond the Arctic Circle. It was once quite common throughout Europe, but by the middle of the 20th century it was exterminated in most countries of Central and Western Europe. Successful attempts have now been made to revive the lynx population.

Currently, 90% of the Eurasian lynx population lives in Siberia.

Eurasian lynx cub:

Lynx prefers deaf people dark coniferous forests, taiga, although it is found in a wide variety of plantations, including mountain forests; sometimes enters the forest-steppe and forest-tundra. She climbs trees and rocks very well and swims well.

When there is an abundance of food, the lynx lives sedentary; when there is a shortage, it wanders. It can travel up to 30 kilometers per day. The basis of its diet is hares. It also constantly hunts grouse birds, small rodents, and, less often, small ungulates such as roe deer, musk deer, spotted and reindeer, occasionally attacks domestic cats and dogs, and in the forest - foxes, raccoon dogs and other small animals. He destroys foxes especially decisively and viciously, even when there is no particular need for this.

Lynx hunts at dusk. Contrary to popular beliefs, she never jumps on her prey from a tree, but prefers to watch for game in ambush or stealth, and then attack with large, up to 4 m, jumps. The victim is pursued at a distance of no more than 60-80 m, after which it runs out of steam.

Despite all the caution, the lynx is not very afraid of people. She lives in the secondary forests created by them, in young forests, in old cutting areas and burnt areas; and in times of adversity it enters villages and even big cities.

Canada lynx , or North American lynx, is a species of lynx that lives in the North American taiga. The closest relative of the Eurasian lynx. This type of lynx is half the size of the Eurasian lynx: its body length is 86-117 cm, height at the withers is 60-65 cm; weight 8-14 kg. In captive animals, the weight can reach up to 20 kg in both sexes. The coat color is grayish-brown, turning red in summer; White marks are scattered across the main background, giving the impression of being dusted with snow. There is an unusually light, “blue” color.

Lives in wooded areas of Alaska, Canada, as well as the states of Montana, Idaho, Washington and Colorado.

The Canadian lynx feeds mainly on hares; the size of its population depends on the growth or decline of their population. In addition to the main diet are rodents (squirrels, mice, beavers), red deer, foxes and birds (pheasants).

The future of Canada lynxes is not in danger at this time; They are endangered only in a few regions.

Canada lynx cubs:

Red Lynx - a species of lynx native to North America. Outwardly, it is a typical lynx, but smaller, half the size of a regular lynx, not so long-legged and wide-legged, since it does not need to walk in deep snow, but with a shorter tail. Its body length is 60.2–80 cm, height at withers 30–35 cm, weight 6.7–11 kg.

The general color tone is reddish-brown with a gray tint. Unlike true lynxes, the bobcat has a white marking on the inside of the tip of its tail, while the bobcat's tail is completely black. Southern subspecies have more black markings than northern ones. There are individuals that are completely black (melanists) and white (albinos), the former only in Florida. The bobcat is found from extreme southern Canada to central Mexico and from the east to west coasts of the United States. The bobcat is found in both subtropical forests and arid desert areas, lowland swamps, coniferous and deciduous forests, and even in cultivated landscapes and the environs of large cities. Although the bobcat is a good tree climber, it only climbs trees in search of food and shelter.

The main food of the red lynx is the American rabbit; also catches snakes, mice, rats, gophers and porcupines. Sometimes it attacks birds (wild turkeys, domestic chickens) and even white-tailed deer. Occasionally - on small domestic animals.

The bobcat's natural enemies are other cats: jaguars, pumas and Canadian lynxes.

Red lynx cub:

South Texas Bobcat:

Spanish lynx (Iberian lynx, pardo lynx, Iberian lynx) (Lynx pardinus) is a species of lynx that is found in southwestern Spain (most of it in national park Coto Doñana), although initially the Spanish lynx was widespread in Spain and Portugal. Now its range is limited to mountainous areas.

Previously, it was often considered a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx. To date, it has been proven that these are two different types, which evolved independently of each other during the Pleistocene era. It differs from the latter in its lighter color and pronounced spots, giving its color a resemblance to the color of a leopard. In winter, the fur dulls and becomes thinner. It is also half the size of the Eurasian lynx, and therefore hunts mainly small game - hares and rabbits, only occasionally attacking baby deer.

Height at the withers is 45-70 cm, trot length 75-100 cm, including a short tail (12-30 cm), weight 13-25 kg.

The Spanish lynx is one of the most rare species mammals. As of 2005, its population was estimated to be only 100 individuals. For comparison: at the beginning of the 20th century there were about 100 thousand of them, by 1960 - already 3 thousand, by 2000 - only 400.