Lynx (Lynx canadensis)

Species Image
By Keith Williams - originally posted to Flickr as Lynx Canadensis, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11394713

Description

Lynx are medium-sized carnivores in the cat family (Felidae).  The major identification challenge is distinguishing lynx from bobcats. 

 Tail: A lynx’s tail has a black tip all around, with the appearance of being dipped in a bottle of ink. A bobcat’s tail is striped with black bands towards the end and has a black tip. Ears: Lynx have longer ear tufts than bobcats.  Feet: Lynx have much larger feet than bobcats.

Size: Lynx are larger than bobcats.

Size

Measurements from Minnesota are from Hazard (1982) and from the Eastern United States are from Hamilton and Whitaker (1998). 

Total length ranged from 34.4” to 39.4” (875-1,000 mm) in Minnesota. Female total length ranged from 30.1” to 38” (765-965 mm) and male total length ranged from 30.7” to 41.9” (780-1,065 mm) in the Eastern United States. Tail length ranged from 3.9” to 4.7” (100-120 mm) in Minnesota. Female tail length ranged from 3.0” to 4.8” (76-122 mm) and male tail length ranged from 3.0” to 5.4” (75-138 mm) in the Eastern United States. Body weight ranged from 16.1 lb to 35.1 lb (7.3-15.9 kg) in Minnesota. Female body weight ranged from 11.2 lb to 25.6 lb (5.1-11.6 kg) and male body weight ranged from 14.8 lb to 37.9 lb (6.7-17.2 kg) in the Eastern United States.

Males are typically larger than females.

Side view of lynx skull
Top view of lynx skull

Distribution & Status

Lynx are found in northern forested regions of the U.S. and Canada, particularly younger forests with snowshoe hare in Alaska and Canada (Moen et al., 2014).  Lynx are classified as a furbearer in Ontario, and threatened in the Lower 48 under the Endangered Species Act.  Populations are secure in Ontario, critically imperiled in Michigan, and not ranked in Minnesota or Wisconsin. 

Map of North America with most of Canada and Alaska highlighted in Blue

Worldwide, Lynx canadensis is restricted to northern North American. Closely related Lynx lynx is found across northern Europe and Asia in forest and steppe habitat.

Lynx have an IUCN rank of Least Concern, IUCN information.

Incidence in Minnesota

Lynx have been protected in Minnesota since 1984. In 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classified the lynx as a federally threatened species, USFWS information.

In Minnesota, lynx have primarily been detected in northeast Minnesota, sighting information

Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations.

Graph of lynx harvest data in Ontario from 1970-2010

Life History

Lynx primarily feed on snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), resulting in population cycles as hare population numbers alternatively boom and bust (Krebs et al., 2001; Moen et al., 2004).  Cycles may be dampened in regions where lynx are less numerous.  Lynx reach highest abundance in boreal forest.  Lynx mate in January/February, with 1-4 young born in March/April after a 62 day gestation.  Lynx dens are located in hollow logs, stumps, or clumps of timber (Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982).  Young eyes open at 10 days, and coats remain spotted for several months.  Yearlings sometimes remain with their mother, while females mature sexually at 2-3 years old.  Lynx are adept at tree-climbing, swimming, and walking on snow, as their feet act like snowshoes.   Deep snow helps lynx hunting success rates.  Deep snow also inhibits bobcat hunting success, a competitor, where ranges overlap.  Lynx are uncommon prey for raptors and larger mammal carnivores.

Contacts with Humans

Lynx are most abundant in sparsely populated locations, so pose little threat to agricultural operations.  Lynx fur has some value as a marketable commodity.