Canada Lynx

Lynx canadensis

STATUS: ENDANGERED (NOVA SCOTIA), 2002

Species Description

The Canada Lynx is a medium sized cat (80-90cm long) with large paws and a short tail with a black tip. Their coat is greyish in the winter changing to reddish brown in the summer with long black tipped ear tufts, which make them easy to distinguish. It is an elusive and shy species that is mainly active during the night

Habitat

Normally fairly solitary these big cats are found in high elevation boreal forests with snowshoe hares, which are their main prey, and areas with deep winter snow are the prime habitat for these big cats. Two small populations currently exist in Cape Breton.

Facts

They have 10-year cyclic populations fluctuations correlating to snowshoe hare populations
Snowshoe hares can make up to 97% of their diet
Their large paws act like snowshoes in deep winter snow
Their teeth are laced in nerves to feel where they are biting the prey
Sounds similar to a house cat but much louder

Threats to survival

Historically unregulated trapping but now regulated however incidentally caught in traps set for other species
Global warming disrupting their habitat and prey therefore changing the snowshoe hare cycle
Deforestation
Non-native bobcats, coyotes and lynx compete for prey

How YOU Can Help

Learn to recognize this species and report sightings
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions at home to help keep the snow levels high in Cape Breton
Advocate sustainable practices

Contacts, Information & Sighting Reports

Contact: NS DNR @ 902 679 6091

Sightings: 1 866 272 3447 or sightings@speciesatrick.ca

Information & references: http://www.speciesatrisk.ca/SARGuide/download/Canada%20Lynx.pdf

http://www.hww.ca/en/species/mammals/canada-lynx-1.html

http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ns/cbreton/natcul/natcul1/d/ii/b.aspx