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Eurasian lynx

Eurasian lynx

A cat with muffs and sideburns.

In the most hidden and quiet mountain areas, the lynx lies in ambush, waiting for its prey. It pounces masterfully on a deer that is even several times larger than itself, suffocates it, or bites its neck.
There is enough food to last for several days, so he hides it and returns to the hunted animal.

Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx)

Size

  • 80 to 130 cm in length, with a short tail measuring 10 to 30 cm
Weight
  • around 20 kg
Diet

  • carnivore; deers, chamois, dormice ...
Habitat

  • Northern Europe, Russia, Central Asia, the Carpathians, the Tatra Mountains, the Pyrenees, the Jura, Anatolia, and the Caucasus
   
Kingdom
  • Animalia
Phylum
  • Chordata
Class
  • mammals
Order
  • carnivor
Family
  • cats
Genus
  • Lynx
Species
  • Eurasian lynx

The Eurasian lynx is the largest and most endangered among the three species of European cats. In Slovenia, it was exterminated in the past century. In 1973, six lynxes- three males and three females, were reintroduced from Slovakia, and they subsequently bred and spread across our territory and neighboring countries. Today, only about 15 to 20 adult animals live in Slovenia, and they are highly endangered due to inbreeding. This charismatic cat typically lives in the forests of Northern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia.

The lynx is distinguished from other cats by the muffs of black hair on its ears and the longer fur resembling sideburns, which creates the appearance of an extended beard.

Its fur is reddish-gray with stripes, and its tail is short with a black tip. The hind legs are longer than the front ones.

The lynx is a solitary animal that defends its territory from other males and marks it by urinating on stones, trees, and other surfaces.

It only meets with a female during the mating season at the end of winter. Although a very quiet predator, during this time it loudly meows and calls for a female. The female gives birth to one to four cubs around May and raises them alone. The cubs learn hunting and survival skills from mother.

DO YOU KNOW?

  1. The characteristic black muffs on the tips of the lynx's ears are up to 4 centimeters long.
  2. Right after the bear and the wolf, the lynx is the third largest predator in Europe.
  3. The lynx does not chase its prey. Its hunting tactic is stalking or ambushing. An expert in the element of surprise!
  4. Due to inbreeding, the lynx population in Slovenia is at risk of extinction, so at least 10 lynxes will be relocated from Romania and Slovakia.
  5. The constellation in the northern hemisphere is also named after lynx.
  6. On June 11th, we celebrate International Lynx Day.