Species › Mammals › Canada Lynx

Canada Lynx

Lynx canadensis

RareMammal
Illustration of Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis)

The Canada Lynx is a medium-sized wild cat with large, padded paws that function as natural snowshoes in deep boreal snow. Its population is tightly linked to the snowshoe hare cycle, with lynx numbers peaking and crashing roughly every ten years in tandem with their prey. The lynx's long ear tufts are thought to enhance hearing in dense forest environments.

Habitat
Boreal and montane forests with dense understory cover
Diet
Snowshoe hares, small mammals, and birds
How common
Rare

Best time to see a Canada Lynx

The best time to see a Canada Lynx is January–June, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 495 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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