Animal Profiles
Mammals

Lynx

Lynx

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Lynx are short-tailed wild cats with tufted ears. This account describes the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), a solitary predator of woodland and mountain landscapes.

Lynx lynx (lynx)

Representative species: Lynx lynx.

Aconcagua ( talk ) · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Eurasian lynx inhabit parts of Europe and Asia, using forest, wooded uplands and rocky country. Other lynx species occupy different ranges.
Habitat
Temperate forest, Mountains
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Small deer and other hoofed mammals are important prey, supplemented by smaller animals.

Classification

Common name
Lynx
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Lynx
Taxon rank
genus
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Lynx
Source classification
Mammalia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Males are generally larger than females.
  • Coat patterns vary between individuals.
  • It can climb and swim.

Habitat and range

Eurasian lynx inhabit parts of Europe and Asia, using forest, wooded uplands and rocky country. Other lynx species occupy different ranges.

Appearance and adaptations

A short tail, ear tufts and dense fur create its characteristic outline. Coat colour ranges from grey to reddish tones, with variable spotting.

Diet and behaviour

Small deer and other hoofed mammals are important prey, supplemented by smaller animals. It usually hunts and travels alone. Early morning and evening are important activity periods, while vegetation offers daytime cover.

Sources

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