Lions, tigers and leopards usually steal the spotlight when thinking about big cats. But hidden in snowy forests and remote mountains lives the lynx that quietly defies expectations. Tufted ears, paws which are disproportionately large, and an almost ghost like aura make the lynx not exactly big, but not common, either. It is an expert at surviving the toughest of conditions and having some of the most incredible surprises that ensure it is one of the most underrated in the world of nature.
Not Quite a Big Cat but Far from Small
Lynx is found in the medium sized category of wild cats that lie between house cats and large cats such as leopards. They weigh 8 to 30 kg depending on the species such as the Eurasian lynx, Canada lynx, the Iberian lynx or bobcat. Although the lynx is of moderately large size, they are powerful hunters able to hunt bigger animals than them like deer in certain areas.
Built for Snow Like No Other Cat
The paws of the lynx are furry and large which is also one of the most impressive traits of this animal. These are like snowshoes which have been gifted by nature and are evenly spread so that they are not into deep snow. Together with long legs and thick fur, lynx move undetected through frozen territories where other predators have a hard time. This gives them a major hunting advantage in harsh winter conditions.
Those Ears Are Not Just for Show
The lynx’s iconic black ear tufts are not just for decoration. Scientists believe they help enhance hearing by directing sound into the ears allowing the lynx to detect even the faintest movements of prey. Their hearing is so sharp that they locate small animals hidden beneath snow making them incredibly efficient ambush hunters.
Masters of Solitude and Stealth
Lynx is fiercely solitary unlike lions which live in prides. They leave large areas and do not need to have unneeded contact not even with another lynx. It is this elusive nature which makes many people never sight one in the wild. They have a reputation of ghost cats in the forest due to their camouflage suit and silent movements that make them disappear in seconds.
Lynx cannot roar like the lion or boast stripes like a tiger but its cleverness, adoptions and silent power is amazing. Snow walking paws to laser sharp hearing, this wild cat makes it clear that power does not necessarily make sound.
Celebrate the bond with your pets, explore Health & Nutrition, discover Breeds, master Training Tips, Behavior Decoder, and set out on exciting Travel Tails with Times Pets!
