Squad - Predators
Family - Felines
Genus/Species - Felis rufus
Basic data:
DIMENSIONS
Length: 50-80 cm, tail 15 cm.
Height at withers: 50-60 cm.
Weight: on average 6 kg, some individuals can reach 16 kg.
REPRODUCTION
Puberty: from the year; males take part in mating no earlier than two years of age.
Mating period: February March; females sometimes bear offspring twice a year.
Pregnancy: 52 days.
Number of cubs: 2-4.
LIFESTYLE
Habits: singles; active at night.
Lifespan: in captivity for more than 30 years.
RELATED SPECIES
28 other species of small wild cats, including the domestic cat.
The red lynx, which is able to easily adapt, can be found almost everywhere: in mountainous regions and forest-steppes, in subtropical swamps and among cactus thickets. Only among the open steppe, devoid of tall vegetation, does the red lynx feel uncomfortable.
FOOD
The red lynx's diet consists of two-thirds hares and rabbits. The rest are mostly small rodents, such as squirrels and mice. Sometimes lynxes also prey on deer, sheep or goats, and even domestic dogs and cats. The red lynx rushes at its prey from behind. Having approached the prey at a fairly short distance, the predator silently jumps on it and, knocking it to the ground, kills it. The red lynx grabs its prey by the throat with its teeth and does not let go until the victim dies. With its strong teeth, the lynx bites the victim's carotid artery and breaks the neck. The red lynx plays with small prey like a cat plays with a mouse.
HABITS
The red lynx is a nocturnal animal. She usually goes hunting at dusk. In the north, in winter, the red lynx also hunts during the day, since it does not have enough food during this period. The red lynx is a territorial animal. The lynx marks the boundaries of the site and its paths with urine and feces. In addition, she leaves marks of her claws on trees. The male learns that the female is ready to mate by the smell of her urine. A mother with cubs is very aggressive towards any animal or person that threatens her kittens.
REPRODUCTION
The only time when individuals of different sexes look for meetings is during the mating season, which occurs at the end of winter - the beginning of spring. The male mates with all the females that are in the same area with him. The female's pregnancy lasts only 52 days. Cubs are born in the spring, blind and helpless. At this time, the female tolerates the male only not far from the den. After about a week, the babies' eyes open slightly, but for another eight weeks they remain with their mother and are fed with her milk. The mother licks their fur and warms them with her body. The female red lynx is a very caring mother. In case of danger, she moves the kittens to another shelter.
When the cubs begin to eat solid food, the mother allows the male to approach the den. The male regularly brings food to the cubs and helps the female raise them. This kind of parental care is unusual for male wild cats. When the kids grow up, the whole family travels, stopping for a short time in various hiding places of the female's hunting area. When the kittens are 4-5 months old, the mother begins to teach them hunting techniques. During this time, kittens play a lot with each other and through games they learn about different ways of obtaining food, hunting and behavior in difficult situations. The cubs spend another 6-8 months with their mother (before the start of the new mating season).
DID YOU KNOW THAT...
- Red lynxes raised by humans are tamed and become pets, they even allow their owners to pet them.
- The red lynx goes hunting during the day only during the winter period.
- The red lynx is a good swimmer, but rarely enters the water of its own free will. The exception is hot, sunny days, at which time the lynx, in order to cool down, is immersed in water up to its neck.
- The English name for the red lynx draws attention to its curved, short tail.
- The further north of the range you go, the larger the lynxes that are found there.
BORN LYNX AREA
A male red lynx often occupies an area of 100 km2; border areas may be shared by several males. The female's area is half the size. Within the territory of one male, 2-3 females usually live. A male red lynx, whose territory is often home to three females and cubs, must provide food for 12 kittens.
- Range of the red lynx
LIVING PLACE
The red lynx is found in North America from southern Canada to southern Mexico.
PRESERVATION
The bobcat is the most common wild cat in North America, although in the north it is still hunted for its fur and for sport. The Mexican subspecies is in danger of extinction.
Children from the cage. V. 386. Red lynx.The original was taken from Children from the Cage. V. 386. Red lynx.
red lynx(lat. Lynx rufus) is a species of lynx native to North America.
The red lynx is found from extreme southern Canada to central Mexico and from the east to west coasts of the United States.
Outwardly, it is a typical lynx, but smaller: half the size of a regular lynx, not so long-legged and wide-legged, since it does not need to walk in deep snow, but with a shorter tail.
Its body length is 60-80 cm, height at the withers is 30-35 cm, weight is 6-11 kg.
The bobcat is found in both subtropical forests and arid desert areas, lowland swamps, coniferous and deciduous forests, and even in cultivated landscapes and the environs of large cities. Although the bobcat is a good tree climber, it only climbs trees in search of food and shelter.
The main food of the red lynx is the American rabbit. It also feeds on snakes, mice, rats, gophers and porcupines. Sometimes it attacks birds (wild turkeys, domestic chickens) and even white-tailed deer. Occasionally - on small domestic animals.
The bobcat's natural enemies are other cats: jaguars, pumas and Canadian lynx. 
Breeds from February to June. Kittens are born after 50 days of pregnancy. There are from 1 to 6 kittens in a litter. Females become sexually mature at 12 months, males at 24 months.
All pictures were taken by me at the Moscow Zoo.
Red lynx (lat. Lynx rufus), sometimes called red because of the rich color of its soft coat, is native to central and southern North America. Locals call her "bobcat". It is half the size of an ordinary lynx: up to 60 cm high and weighing 6-14 kg.
Her legs are shorter and thinner, since the red-haired beauty does not need to walk in deep snow, unlike her northern relative. You can also recognize a bobcat by the white markings on the inside of the black tip of the tail, smaller ear tufts, and lighter coloration. The fluffy fur may be reddish brown or gray. In Florida, there are even completely black individuals, the so-called “melanists”. The wild cat's face and paws are decorated with black markings.
You can meet the red lynx in dense subtropical forests or in desert areas among prickly cacti, on high mountain slopes or in swampy lowlands. The presence of humans does not prevent it from appearing on the outskirts of villages or small towns. This predator chooses areas where it can feast on small rodents, nimble squirrels or timid rabbits and even prickly ones.
A hungry lynx can attack a white-tailed deer or domestic sheep. She likes to hunt at dusk, when her color serves as a good camouflage. A deft leap, a quick fatal bite to the base of the skull and you can start eating. Having eaten, the cat hides the remains of the feast and lies down to rest nearby.
In the wild, males and females like to be alone, meeting only during the breeding season. More often this happens in the spring, so that by the cold season the little lynx cubs have time to grow up and begin to feed on their own. The “lady” is usually followed by several “gentlemen” who periodically fight with each other. Pregnancy lasts from 50 to 70 days and ends with the birth of 2 or 4 (less often 6) cubs.
The mother hides them from voracious owls or foxes in tree crevices, small caves and other hard-to-reach places. Sometimes the father also takes care of the lynx cubs. After three months, the grown-up babies follow their parents everywhere, and at 9 they begin to look for their own territory for hunting, and at first they stick together.
When meeting, familiar individuals perform a curious greeting ritual: as soon as their wet noses touch, they stand opposite each other and begin to butt heads no worse than real rams. At the same time, a characteristic bone sound is even heard. A special friendly disposition is expressed in carefully licking a friend's fur.
The red lynx's attitude towards humans is quite strange. On the one hand, she avoids him in every possible way, so it is almost impossible to accidentally stumble upon an animal in the wilderness. On the other hand, an impudent cat can easily show up on a farm and slightly reduce the number of livestock. The predator also breaks into sheepfolds, hunting dogs and small domestic animals.
Order - Carnivora (Carnivora)
Family – Felidae
Red lynx (Lynx rufus)
Appearance:
Outwardly, it is a typical lynx, but smaller: half the size of an ordinary lynx, not so long-legged and wide-legged, since it does not need to walk in deep snow, but with a shorter tail. Its body length is 60-80 cm, height at the withers is 30-35 cm, weight is 6-11 kg. The general color tone is reddish-brown with a gray tint. Unlike other lynxes (such as the Canada lynx or the common lynx), the bobcat has a white marking on the inside of the tip of its tail, while other lynxes have a completely black mark. Southern subspecies have more black markings than northern ones. There are individuals completely black (melanists) and white (albinos), the former only in Florida.
Habitat:
The bobcat is found from extreme southern Canada to central Mexico and from the east to west coasts of the United States.
Lifestyle:
The bobcat is found in both subtropical forests and arid desert areas, lowland swamps, coniferous and deciduous forests, and even in cultivated landscapes and the environs of large cities. Leads an earthly twilight lifestyle. It goes hunting in the evening and early in the morning. In winter it is also found during daylight hours. The red lynx has favorite resting places and trails that it constantly uses. It climbs trees well, but climbs them only in search of food and shelter. Able to jump over high obstacles. Vision and hearing are well developed. Hunts on the ground, sneaking up on prey. The lynx holds its prey with its sharp claws and kills it with a bite to the base of the skull. At one time, an adult animal eats up to 1.4 kg of meat. He hides the remaining surplus and returns to it the next day. When walking, the red lynx places its hind paws exactly in the tracks left by its front paws. Soft pads on the legs help to quietly sneak up on prey at close range.
Nutrition:
The main food of the red lynx is the American rabbit. It also feeds on snakes, mice, rats, gophers and porcupines. Sometimes it attacks birds (wild turkeys, domestic chickens) and even white-tailed deer. Occasionally - on small domestic animals.
Reproduction:
A female can have up to two litters per year (in spring and late summer).
The female makes a den for her kittens in caves, piles of stones or in the cavities of trees. There is evidence that both parents are involved in raising offspring. Breeding season is February-June. Puberty occurs in females at one year, in males at two years. Pregnancy lasts 50-70 days. There are up to 6 blind kittens in a litter (usually 2-4). The weight of newborns is up to 340 g. On the 10th day, the eyes open. Lactation lasts up to 8 weeks. Kittens gain 25 g in weight per day. From 3 to 5 months. kittens go hunting with their mother. At 9 months of age, they are completely independent and acquire their own hunting area.
Our pets:
The red lynx Lapa was born in 2011 at the Novosibirsk Zoo. Red lynxes are half the size of their Siberian counterparts. But despite their miniature appearance, they are aggressive, capricious and excellent hunters.
The bobcat is a beautiful animal that lives naturally on the east and west coasts of the United States, southern Canada and central Mexico. People often hunt for it, because the population is high and there is no ban on shooting.
Appearance
This animal is also called the red lynx. It reaches 50-80 centimeters in length. In height - 30-35 centimeters. The red lynx can weigh from 6 to 11 kilograms.
Although the color of its coat is reddish-brown with a gray tint, there are also completely white or black individuals. It is very similar but not as large. Her paws are shorter and narrower. In winter, they are covered with long and thick hair, which gives the animal the opportunity to move through deep snow.
The bobcat has a white marking on the inside of its short and curved tail. The tail has a length of 20-35 centimeters. Her head is round and her muzzle is short. There are tassels at the ends of the ears. Thick fur grows along the edges of the muzzle, forming whiskers. The red lynx, described in this article, sheds in spring and autumn. Her fur is soft and silky.
What does he eat?
To get food for itself, this wild animal goes hunting. The red lynx always attacks from behind. At first, she sneaks behind her victim for a long time and when she crawls within one jump, she pounces on her and kills her. To do this, she bites through the carotid artery or simply breaks her neck.
The majority of the red lynx's diet consists of hares. 1/3 of its diet consists of gophers, porcupines, mice, squirrels, voles and other small rodents. Sometimes it attacks deer, goats and even domestic dogs and cats. Of course, farmers don't like lynx attacks on livestock, so they hunt it. Thus, they become owners of valuable fur.
In times of hunger, the red lynx can eat insects, bats, snakes, and plant fruits. Sometimes she has to eat carrion or steal prey from hunting traps. The more food there is, the higher the number of red lynx. Its peacefulness also depends on this factor. If there is little food, then fights often occur between individuals. For an adult male, a sufficient portion is 2.5-3 kilograms. Sometimes he eats 5-6 kilograms. Moreover, predators of similar parameters eat much more.
One adult hare is enough for 2-4 days. A red lynx will handle a roe deer alone in 3-4 days. But you will have to work on the carcass of a sika deer for 1.5 weeks. The red lynx does not begin hunting until it has eaten its previous prey. She sometimes hides the remains in the ground. Often she has to drive away foxes and wolverines from her territory, who strive to feast on the meat she has obtained.
Lifestyle
This animal is often called the lynx of North America, although it lives not only there. In general, this lynx can live in the desert, in swamps, in rocks, and on plains. Even heavy snow doesn’t bother her. The main habitat is spruce-fir forests. Taiga, forest-steppe and forest-tundra are also suitable for red lynx.
It is almost impossible to meet it during the day, because it goes hunting early in the morning or late in the evening, at dusk. Although in winter she can hunt during the day. But the lynx not only hunts, but also rests. To do this, she chooses familiar places and often walks along the same well-trodden paths. Often the lynx, described in this article, climbs trees. There she can hide from persecution. The red lynx runs away from danger in large leaps or climbs higher. In order for the hunt to be successful, this animal has everything it needs.
It's a cat
Its muscular body and strong legs allow it to jump over high obstacles and jump forward over considerable distances. Excellent eyesight and excellent hearing allow them to track prey. Although the red lynx's sense of smell is weak. Sharp claws pierce the victim and prevent it from leaving. They also help climb trees. During the hunt, the lynx hides its tracks. She walks, stepping with her paws so as to leave as few prints as possible.
The red lynx, described in this article, can make shelters in hollows, among rocks and bushes. Its behavior resembles that of a domestic cat. If an animal is angry, its ears are flattened and its tail moves from side to side. Interestingly, a lynx kitten can be tamed. If you take him into the house as a toddler, he will get used to people and become completely at home.
Personal space
The red lynx is a solitary animal. Males and females share a territory in which they live alone. But females with cubs can live in the male’s territory. Animals mark their areas with urine and excrement, and also leave claw marks on trees. A male can have a territory of 100 square kilometers. Females own a smaller territory - 50 square kilometers. If the female is ready to breed, the smell of her urine changes, so the male will know about it.
Reproduction
This usually happens with the onset of spring. If all the females living in the male’s territory are ready to mate, then he will mate with everyone. During pregnancy, which lasts about 53 days, the female prepares a shelter for herself and future lynx cubs. She covers her lair with moss and leaves. A lynx kitten is blind and helpless immediately after birth. Babies' eyes open at 7-9 days.
Lynx cubs feed on mother's milk for 2-2.5 months. In total, up to 6 babies are born in a litter. The lynx kitten needs care. The mother patiently takes care of him, licks him, warms him, and protects him from danger. If the den where the mother and her cubs live is discovered by enemies, she will take the babies to a safe place.
Caring dad
Until the kittens open their eyes, the father has no right to approach the shelter. But as soon as they begin to feed on their own, he takes care of feeding the mother and children. The male feeds all the females and cubs that are in his territory. Moreover, he not only obtains food for the kids, but also participates in their “upbringing.” The bobcat family sticks together. Over time, after about six months, the mother teaches her kittens to hunt. She does this by example. Adults are considered to be individuals that have reached one and a half years of age.
In nature, the red lynx has enemies. These are large predators. But man also destroys these beautiful animals for the sake of beautiful fur. Maybe we shouldn’t do this, because otherwise populations will decline and the red lynx will disappear from our planet.
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