Lynx

Description

It is the largest lynx in the world. Males and females are similar except the males are slightly larger. The colour of its coat varies depending on the part of the body, from silvery grey, yellowish grey, to reddish brown, with darker patches. It has long legs and a very short tail. The ears are triangular in shape and have a characteristic black tuft at the point, which increases its hearing capability. 

Behaviour

They are solitary animals, except in mating season, when a male and female may live together for two days. At the end of the gestation period, which lasts 67 to 74 days, the female will give birth to 1 to 5 kittens in a protected cave. The young are weaned at 3 months of age. The female reaches reproductive maturity at 20-24 months, and the male at 30-34 months. 

Interesting facts

It has highly developed eyesight, which allows it to see in the dark and calibrate distances perfectly when hunting. It also has retractable claws that, together with its sharp teeth, are its main hunting weapons. Although it is not threatened in other places of the world, the lynx in Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia is in danger of extinction, as it has disappeared from numerous areas. Its main threats are habitat destruction, illegal trafficking and falls in its preys’ populations.