Scientific name
Lynx lynx
Popular name
Lynx
Description
The lynx is the largest wild cat in Europe, reaching 80-130 cm length from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail and 60-75 cm height at the withers. It can weigh up to 38 kg, the male being larger than the female.
It has orange fur with black spots, relatively long legs with retractable claws up to 4 cm, short tail, round head with short neck, large and sharp ears with a tuft of black hair at the top and a a distinctive ruff of hair hanging on the lower jaw.
The lynx is solitary (except for the mating period) and prefers old forests, with few rocks. It is nocturnal and shy and does not tolerate the presence of man. Individual territories are marked with gland secretions, urine and excrement, female territories being smaller (80-500 km²) than male territories (120-1800 km²). The number of specimens is quite limited due to the growing loss of wildlife areas that are indispensable to the species.
Food
The lynx is exclusively carnivorous, with a diet that varies depending on the existing species of prey. It most often feed on deer and black goat, but an important part of its food consists of stags, hares and birds.
Reproduction
The mating season is between February and April, after a gestation period of 67-74 days the female giving birth to 2-3 cubs, which it nurses until 4 months old and which remain with their mother for up to 10 months, when they become independent.
Habitat
Although considered a forest predator, the lynx prefers forest habitats alternating with grasslands or shrublands. This alternation is more present in hill areas and high hills and much less present in mountain and spruce areas. Also, during winter, the species pursues the prey in shelter areas from large valleys, with forest enclaves or large grasslands. For the season of birth and care of the young, the lynx chooses areas on forested mountainsides, with abrupt slopes, rocks or mountain detritus and at short distances from a water source.
Distribution
The lynx is one of the most widespread feline species in the world, previously living throughout Europe (except the Iberian Peninsula) and Central Asia. At the moment, the species can be found in Nordic countries and Russia, but only in small populations in Central and Western Europe. In Romania, the species is spread throughout the Carpathian Mountains and in the sub-Carpathian hills with a high percentage of afforestation.
