Where do lynx live, in which zone. Lynx: what feeds on, where dwells

In the northern hemisphere of our planet, there are quite large areas where lynx dwell. These predatory animals from the cat family can be found not only in forest areas, in subtropical forests, but even in the tundra.

External Description

The lynx really looks like a very large cat, differing only with a short tail and tassels on the tips of the ears. Its weight usually does not exceed 25 kg, and the body length can be from 75 to 130 cm. The trunk is dense with a small round head. The muzzle is framed by an elongated, rigid coat, similar to whiskers. The fur is very thick, especially in winter, when the undercoat appears. Most often there are animals with a reddish-gray color and dark spots, chaotically located throughout the trunk. But the color of the coat depends on the species and on where the lynx lives, in what zone, so there may be another shade.

The limbs are somewhat different in structure from the felines. The hind legs are longer than the forelegs and have only 4 fingers. In winter, the pads are overgrown with thick wool, which allows the animal to easily move through the snow without falling in the snowdrifts. Paws seem too wide for such a small beast, but it is this structure that helps the predator to successfully hunt, getting food. Beautiful tassels on the ears serve as an antenna, thanks to which the lynx perfectly hears the quietest sounds. This animal perfectly jumps (up to 4 meters in length), climbs trees and runs very fast. Like all members of the cat family, it is distinguished by strength and unusual dexterity.

Varieties

The genus of lynxes includes several species: Pyrenean, Canadian, red, Eurasian common. The smallest is the red-haired lynx, which lives in North America. Its height is not more than 35 cm at the withers. The largest representative of this genus is the common Eurasian lynx, which resides almost throughout Russia, including the Arctic, and can be found in completely impassable areas of Siberia. Deaf forest, thickets of young animals - these are the places where lynx dwell most often.

Significantly inferior in size is the Canadian lynx, which is the closest relative of the Eurasian. This North American cat inhabits almost the entire territory of Canada and the northern American states, preferring to settle in coniferous forests, where there is a thick undergrowth.

A special species is the brightly spotted Pyrenean trot. It is on the brink of extinction. Only in Portugal and in the south of Spain, these animals are occasionally found. Deforestation has led to the fact that the area where lynx dwells is getting smaller. In addition, because of the beautiful fur of bright leopard coloring hunters often shoot these animals.

Habitat

Lynx is found in almost all European countries, as well as in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Greece, China, Azerbaijan and Georgia. On the American continent, the largest number of these predators is observed in the southeast of the USA, in Canada and Mexico.

In Russia, the largest trotting population was recorded in the taiga regions and in the zone of mixed forests. More recently, animals settled in Kamchatka. Our country is huge, so the areas where the trot live in Russia can be located at a very remote distance from each other. As a result, animals of the same species can be very different not only in size but also in color, degree of spotting.

A favorite place for lynx are thickets of young animals - it is most convenient to arrange a lair there. In general, this predator chooses to live any forest (coniferous, mixed, mountainous), where the bear and elk live. Lynx can be found in the forest-tundra, where there are many shrubs, other low-growing vegetation, and even beyond the Arctic Circle.

What does the trot eat

It is a predator, accordingly, prefers it fresh meat, which requires at least 2-3 kg per day. The object of hunting is a variety of animals - from mice, voles to roe deer and reindeer. Food depends on the habitat. But the main prey for a lynx is usually a hare. It is from its abundance in the region where the lynx dwell that their well-being depends. One trapped hare is enough for a predator for 4 days. As a rule, it preys on them mainly in winter, when the choice of food is small. In the taiga, the boars are often the prey of this dexterous beast. The lynx can deftly and imperceptibly get close to the victim and kill her with one blow of his powerful paw. In addition, the huge fangs of a predator are similar to the canines of a leopard or a leopard. And among the birds there are a lot of victims who fall into these fangs. Usually it is black grouse, capercaillie and hazel grouse.

Lifestyle

Lynx is a single animal. During her life she seldom makes any sounds. A sharp scream of a lynx, similar to a cat, can be heard only during the rut, which usually happens in February. This animal is extremely cautious. The whole day the lynx spends in his lair, which is in the deep often. Late in the evening, she goes hunting. It leads a sedentary lifestyle and only when food resources in the area of habitat end, migrates to another territory. For a day can overcome the distance to 30 km.

The habits

You can find a lot of information about the lynx - what it feeds on, where it lives, but its unusual habits are also worthy of attention. For example, this animal consumes exclusively fresh meat, scavenging carrion. She never returns to the remnants of the booty, although she bury them in the ground. And it does it very casually, and the foxes and wolverines that follow it often use the remnants of the feast.

Each individual has its own territory for hunting. The lynx is bloodthirsty. She hunts almost always and often kills animals much more than she can eat. To the foxes lynx has a special dislike, which is caused by food competition. But killing a fox, there will never be one. Hunting for a lynx usually ends in luck. Waiting for her prey on the tree, she throws herself with lightning at her. Thanks to the developed hind limbs, the lynx can catch even birds that fly from the ground.

When there is not enough fodder in the forest, the predator can visit the nearest villages and farms. There it is not difficult for him to drag a chicken or even a lamb.

Reproduction

During the mating season, the female is accompanied by several males, who are constantly in conflict with each other. Pregnancy lasts about 2 months. Approximately 5 hours before delivery, the lynx starts arranging a lair. Usually makes it at a height - in hollows of trees or in crevices of rocks. Cubs appear in the light at the end of April - early May, blind, weighing up to 300 grams and open their eyes only in two weeks.

The mother feeds them with her milk for a month, then begins to bring the kids mice, rabbits. At the age of 3 months the cubs already follow the mother, and 2 months later they begin to acquire the first hunting skills themselves. When they are one year old, their mother drives them away from themselves, they begin an independent life. In a year and a half the females become sexually mature, males grow up a year later. The lynx life expectancy is on the average 15-20 years.

Despite the fact that there are not many places on the planet where the lynx does not live in the wild, the population of this animal is shrinking. The reason is the destruction of the natural habitat and excessive hunting for these beautiful animals. In some European countries, they are already practically exterminated.