Canadian Lynx

		SIZE

		HEIGHT:	2-3 ft.
		LENGTH:	32-36 in. Tail Length: 4 in.
		WEIGHT:	25-40 lbs.

		BREEDING

		MATURITY:	Females: 21 months Males: 33 months
		MATING:	Breed between Jan. and Feb.
		GESTATION:	68-72 days.
		# OF YOUNG :	1-4, usually 2.

		LIFESTYLE

		HABIT:	Primarily nocturnal and solitary.
		DIET:	Snow Hares, fish, toads, deer, and even grasshoppers if they have to.
		LIFESPAN:	15-18 years.

		SCIENTIFIC NAME

		FAMILY:	Family "Felidae". Classified as "Lynx canadensis". Related to the Spanish lynx, bobcat, and Eurasian lynx.

		GENERAL INFORMATION

		The Canadian Lynx is found in the forests of northern United States and Canada. They are found mostly in forested areas, swamps, and in the tundra in Northern Canada. They are stout-bodied animals with thick, soft fur and short, stubby tails. They also have a tuft of hair, more than 2 cm long, at the tip of each ear. Their backs are dark Grey and their belly is grayish-white, often with black spots. They have long legs and extremely large feet that enable it to travel easily over deep snow. They are very agile climbers, spending some of their time in good weather on the limbs of trees, waiting for the weaker mammals and terrestrial birds that constitute their prey to pass beneath them. It is common for Canadian Lynx to stalk their prey. They generally hunt alone, although group hunting and ambushing has been observed. They feed mostly on Snowshoe Hares. They will also eat small birds, rodents, deer, and caribou. Although not a timid hunter, the lynx will rarely contest its prey if confronted by other carnivores and will leave the kill uneaten. But when it comes to protecting their young, nothing holds them back. They den in hollow logs, caves, beneath roots and other sheltered places. The Lynx's range is about 50 miles, but their breeding range is considerably smaller (5 miles). They breed in the months of January and February and the gestation period is about two months. Litters can be anywhere from one to four kittens, but usually the mother will give birth to two kittens. By the fall, the youngsters will be well on their way to fending for themselves. Kittens may take meat at one month, but are not weaned until five months old. When winter comes they have still not got their adult teeth or fully developed their claws so that, although they will be accompanying their mother on hunting expeditions for some time, they are not yet able to survive alone. They stay with their mother until the next mating season, when they are usually chased away by suitors. Siblings often stay together for a time after separating from their mother. These cats have a function of predation to perform to keep the wild animals and birds in proper numbers. Where they have been eliminated by over-shooting and trapping, an over abundance of animals such as rabbits and grouse have occurred. Their only refuge is in the deep woods and sometimes not even that can save them from the site of the human's gun.

""You don't have to be a tourist to enjoy Bear Country USA! I commute past the park everyday, and everyday I look for the baby bears in the trees and giggle when I see them stacked up! This year, I became a ""Season Pass Holder"" and it's the best gift I've given myself. When I'm having a bad day, I stop and go through the park - it's amazing how uplifting the visits can be. I have also taken advantage of the ""Pass"" and treated all of my out-of-town visitors to tours through the park - it's a highlight for everyone's visit, and I have to mention all the perks of being a season pass holder - special events just for us - getting to play with the baby bears - winning animal art - I truely feel like I am a member of the Bear Country USA family. If you are from this area - think about become a ""season pass holder"" - you won't regret it. Thanks Bear Country USA!""

Kari Kelting
Hill City, South Dakota