The lynx (lynx canadensis) is a large, bob-tailed cat, three feet long with a black-tipped tail only about one-eighth the total length, and only about half the length of its huge hind foot. Weights are 20 – 30 pounds. The coat is grayish, with obscure spots. The magnificent ear tufts may be nearly as long as the actual ears.
The lynx is easily confused with its more common and more widespread relative, the bobcat. The lynx is slightly larger than the bobcat, has grayish (rather than reddish) fur, less prominent spots, a conspicuous ear tuft, and a solid black tip (rather than a black tip broken with a reddish band) on the tail. The lynx’s tail is relatively shorter and its hind foot is much longer (greater than 8 inches, versus less than eight inches in the bobcat).
The lynx lives in North America and Eurasia. Lynx may have disappeared from Colorad by about 1973. Sightings prior to that time were few, scattered throughout mountainous areas of the state. IN 1999 an ambitious program of lynx restoration began in the remote San Juan Mountains, and by 2005 more than 200 animals had been released, a number of litters of kittens had been born, and lynx were expanding throughout the high country and occasionally beyond.
The lynx is found in dense sub-alpine forest and willow-choked corridors along mountain streams and avalanche chutes, the home of its favored prey species, the snowshoe hare. The typical hunting strategy is patience, stalking prey or crouching in wait beside a trail. Often the surprised quarry is overtaken and dispatched in a single, furious bound. Lynx also eat some carrion, and capture ground-dwelling birds (like grouse) and small mammals. Lynx are active throughout the year; their huge hind feet help them move across heavy snow.
Lynx breed in late winter, and after a gestation period of about nine weeks, females produce a litter of about four kittens in April or May.
Lynx Research Update - November 17, 2006
Lead Lynx Researcher/PhD, Tanya Shenk
________________________________________
In spring 2006, 42 females were being monitored. We found 4 dens in May and June 2006 with 11 kittens total. Lynx CO04F07, a female lynx born in Colorado in 2004, was the mother of one of these litters which documented the first recruitment of Colorado-born lynx into the Colorado breeding population. The percent of tracked females found with litters in 2006 was lower (10%) than in the 3 previous years (41%). However, all demographic and habitat characteristics measured at the 4 dens that were found in 2006 were comparable to all other dens found. Mean number of kittens per litter from 2003-2006 was 3 and sex ratio of females to males was equal. A total of 37 dens have been found from 2003-2006.
For more information on lynx reproduction, locations, augmentation, current status, mortality and more, read the Full Update. Also read the press release, “DOW Researchers Release 2006 Lynx Kitten Count."