Canada Lynx Fact Sheet

 

Class:
Mammalia 
Order:
Carnivora
Family:
Felidae
Genus:
Lynx
Species:
canadensis (Canadian lynx)
Life span:
About 12 years in the wild; up to 26 years under human care
Gestation:
56 to 70 days
Number of young at birth:
1 to 5 kittens, with 2 to 4 being most common
Age of maturity:
2 years for females
2.5 years for males
Size:
19 – 22 in. tall
2.5 – 3.5 ft. long
Weight:
10 – 38 lbs.
Size at birth:
 4.5 – 15 oz. depending on species
Description:
Known by the tuft of black hair on the tips of its ears and its short, or bobbed tail. Canadian lynx specifically has a unique black tail tip as well as extremely thick, light brown or gray fur with light spots.

 

Fun Facts:

  • Found in North America

  • Canadian lynx live in dense forests where their main prey item, the snowshoe hare is found. When the snowshoe hare population drops so does the Canadian lynx population.

  • Canadian lynx are nocturnal

  • The lynx is a stalk and ambush hunter

  • Males are slightly larger than females

 

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