The Tufted Northern Lynx Adapts for Winter Conditions


The northern lynx is a complex creature. It manages not only to survive in extremely cold weather, but also to live a fairly long life.

The lynx lives a serene life in the cold across Canada, Alaska, and the northern U.S. Although there are not as many, the lynx can also be found in Europe, northern and Central Asia, Siberia, and Tibet. Adapting to these places, the lynx has a thick coat to protect it against the cold. Its fur also helps it blend into its surroundings while hunting. The lynx has long legs and big, fuzzy paws that further help it live in winter conditions and navigate through extensive snow.

An uncommon characteristic of the northern lynx is the tuft of fur it has on each ear. Experts infer that the tufts can help lynx improve their hearing or identify each other. Additionally its eyes are set forward and have tremendous vision; they are able to detect birds up to two and a half miles away. The lynx's complexity only starts with its body.

With its enhanced vision and sense of hearing, the northern lynx, a carnivore, is an excellent hunter. Its typical eating habits won't surprise you, it being a carnivore and all. Its typical diet consists of rabbits, rodents, birds, deer, carrion, and fish.

Northern Lynx don't need a lot of food because they are small. They usually weigh 11 to 83.8 pounds, and their length varies from 31 to 51.2 inches. Males reach sexual maturity at 23 months, and females at 21 months. Their mating season typically lasts from February to March. Lynx’s lifespan is up to 15 years, and they can have up to five young.

The northern lynx is closely related to the Spanish lynx, Felis pardina. The Spanish lynx can be found in the Iberian Peninsula, the Guadalquivir Delta, and Spain. The Spanish lynx is endangered. In fact, with only 1500 of them are left. They became scarce in the 1950s when a disease targeted rabbits, one of the Lynx’s main source of food. The only significant difference between the northern and Spanish lynx is their color; the Spanish lynx has more yellowish-red fur with dark spots while the northern lynx has more brownish fur.

The northern lynx is a fascinating creature. Many likely adventures await this great species!

[Source: The Encyclopedia of Animals ]

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