Lynx
- Class: Mammals (Mammalia)
- Order: Carnivores (Carnivora)
- Family: Cats (Felidae)
- Genus: Lynx
- Species: Lynx lynx
Size
The Eurasian lynx weighs between 18 and 25 kg.
Ecology
The Eurasian lynx is the largest of the European cat species. Like most other cats it is solitary, and individuals of both sexes meeting only on days immediately before and after mating. The lynx is active at dusk and at night, and hunts by ambushing roedeer, hares and other small mammals. The size of its territory is proportional to the availability of prey, and may be as great as 10 000 km2.
Food habits
Like many other cats the lynx does not endure long chases when hunting. Rather, it stalks its prey quietly, and launches the attack suddenly and from a position of ambush.
Its preferred prey is mostly reindeer and roe deer, but includes hares, birds and rodents.
Longevity
The lynx lives between 10 to 15 years in the wild.
Reproduction
The gestation period is 2.5 months and the female has an annual litter of 1 to 4 cubs, which are blind at birth and weigh only 300 g. They are dependent on their mother for almost 1 year before leaving their mother’s care to lead separate lives.
Conservation status
The decline of lynx populations in Sweden is attributed to extensive hunting and to premature death from diseases such as mange and FPV (feline panleucopenia virus that affects their immune system). The lynx was placed under protection in 1986, which resulted in the population currently slowly increasing.
Swedish Red List Threat Category:
Vulnerable.
IUCN Threat Category:
Near threatened.
