The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) is a rare wildcat native to the boreal forests and mountains of North America. Lynx rely on ample populations of snowshoe hare, their main prey, to survive.
Conservation status: Threatened
The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) is a medium-sized wildcat with large feet, notable for its dependence on the snowshoe hare, its main prey. It is a secretive and wide-ranging species, relying on vast, interconnected wildlands to survive.
Although they are roughly the same size as their nearest relative, the bobcat, lynxes have larger feet, thicker fur, and a duller appearance. These adaptations allow lynxes to travel across the deep snowpack of the high Rockies, silently stalking snowshoe hares, red squirrels, ruffed grouse, and other prey.
Canada Lynx were listed as a Threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2000. In 2006 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service first designated Critical Habitat, then revised it in 2009 and 2014. The Service finalized the Recovery Plan in late 2024.
Physical Characteristics: 18 – 23 inches tall at shoulder, 31 – 40 inches long including tail, 15 – 40 pounds. Medium-sized, short-tailed, long-legged cat has huge feet and protruding ears tipped with 2 – inch black hairs. Fur is long, ranging in color from reddish, yellow-brown, to silvery-gray with dark spots or streaks and whitish underside. Large, furry feet allow to stalk prey in silence and travel fast in snow.
Diet: Specialist predator. Snowshoe hare typically makes up bulk of diet – when hare populations crash so do lynx populations. Secondary prey includes squirrels, grouse, other rodents, or even domestic animals. Primarily solitary hunter of remote forests, largely nocturnal with more diurnal activity in winter, and will cache uneaten kill under snow or leafy debris.
Habitat: Depends on dense conifer forests for security and denning. Numerous fallen trees, rocky outcrops, and occasional dense thickets serve as effective cover; these ambush sites are desired habitat components. Forest edges, which provide food for lynxes’ major prey – snowshoe hare – are critical.
Range: Primarily inhabit boreal forests and occur across much of Canada and Alaska, and into northern US border states including Minnesota, Maine, Washington, Idaho, and Montana and extending southward in the Rocky Mountains though portions of Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. Individual home ranges vary and documented between 3 – 300 square miles. In Lower 48, populations and densities tend to remain low. Historically found throughout Clearwater Basin. Confirmed sighting by Forest Service wildlife biologist occurred along Lochsa River in early 2000s.
Reproduction: Breeding season lasts one month, ranging from March – May depending on local climate. Females attract males by leaving urine where males mark their territory, and by repeated calling. Female will only mate with one male each season, though a male may mate with multiple females. Females produce one to five kittens in May – June; kittens stay with mother through first winter and share den site until mature enough to leave.
Threats: Trapping reduced numbers historically, accidental catch while trapping legal furbearers likely continues; current threats also include habitat destruction/fragmentation from human development, logging, road building, motor vehicle traffic, and snowmobiles.
Miscellaneous: Desired for their fur, population records kept by Canadian government and Hudson’s Bay Company date back to 1730s. Predator-prey relationship between lynx and snowshoe hare well documented for decades; each respective population parallels the other – when hare numbers decline, the change in lynx diet causes productivity of adult females and survival of young to nearly cease.
Other animals benefit from lynx superior stalking skills; the Great Horned Owl will station itself above the lynx and wait for it to flush prey out of hiding place, and then swoop down and capture its meal before the lynx can get it.
