Russia is a huge country, rich in forests and majestic mountains, inhabited by many wild predators. Among them, the lynx stands out – a graceful and mysterious animal, a relative of our domestic cats. This large animal, reaching the size of a dog, ranks fourth in the list of the largest predators in Russia, second only to the tiger, leopard and snow leopard. This is not just a wild cat, but a real symbol of the wild northern forest, which attracts attention with its beauty and unusual habits. Let's discover some interesting facts about this unique predator!
There are many interesting things to tell about lynxes – did you know what sounds they make? Photo source: Freepic
Before we move on to the interesting facts, it is worth remembering where lynxes live and what they look like.
Contents
- 1 Where can you meet a lynx
- 2 What does a lynx look like
- 3 Interesting facts about the lynx
- 3.1 The lynx has keen eyesight
- 3.2 Why does a lynx have tufts on its ears
- 3.3 Why does a lynx have a short tail
- 3.4 When did lynxes appear
- 3.5 Do lynxes hunt people
Where can you meet a lynx
The lynx is a large predator that lives in forests from Western Europe to Siberia. Some species of lynx live in Canada, Mexico, Alaska and other relatively cold places on our planet.
Lynxes prefer to live in forests. Photo source: mk-kaliningrad.ru
What does a lynx look like
A lynx resembles a large cat, and in size can compete with a large dog. In length, a lynx reaches 1.3 meters, and its weight ranges from 15 to 25 kilograms, although some males can weigh up to 35 kilograms. Distinguishing features of lynxes are a short tail with a “chopped” end and black tassels on the ears. Powerful paws with wide toes and thick fur help the lynx confidently walk on the snow without sinking.
Lynxes feel great even in the cold. Photo source: stock.adobe.com
The lynx's coloration varies greatly, from red to gray with dark spots, which helps it to remain unnoticed in the forest shadows. It leads a secretive lifestyle, hunting hares, birds, and small animals mainly at dusk and at night. The lynx is an excellent climber of trees and rocks, and can also jump up to four meters, which makes it an excellent hunter in the wild.
The lynx's coloring helps it remain invisible to others. Image source: JoyReactor
Read also: The most invisible animals in the world – try to find them in photos
Interesting facts about the lynx
The lynx is one of the symbols of Russia's wild nature. And, of course, there are many interesting things to tell about this predator.
The lynx has keen eyesight
Many animals have developed senses, but wild cats have even more powerful ones.
The lynx has incredibly sharp eyesight, which allows it to hunt successfully even in poor visibility. It is able to catch the slightest rays of light and accurately focus on moving objects, which makes it an unrivaled hunter.
The lynx's vision has become so powerful that the astronomer Jan Hevelius named an entire constellation after the lynx. In his opinion, to see the small dots in the constellation Lynx, “lynx eyes are needed.”
The structure of the lynx's eyes is the same as that of other members of the cat family. Photo source: koshka.top
However, despite its impressive eyesight, the lynx's main senses are hearing and smell. The lynx can hear even very faint sounds, such as a hare gnawing on a twig, from a distance of 50-60 meters.
As for the sounds of the lynx itself, it is usually silent, but when necessary it can produce a whole spectrum: from an aggressive growl to a piercing howl during disputes. Sometimes lynxes meow loudly, and in moments of pleasure they purr like domestic cats.
Why do lynxes have tassels on their ears
The tassels on the lynx's ears are one of the most remarkable features of this animal, but scientists still cannot come to a consensus on what they are needed for.
One of the most common versions is that the tassels are for beauty. During the process of evolution, lynxes with such decorations attracted more attention from their relatives, and this feature was fixed in the genes. In this sense, the tassels can be compared to the tail of a peacock or the antlers of a deer, which also help to attract the attention of individuals of the opposite sex.
The length of the tassels on the lynx's ears is about 4 centimeters. Photo source: goodfon.ru
However, there are other versions. For example, it is believed that tassels can enhance hearing, allowing the lynx to better pick up sounds. Or they play a big role in communication – lynxes can send signals to each other by twitching their ears. Although these theories do not yet have sufficient evidence, they sound very intriguing.
Why does the lynx have a short tail
Lynxes have a short tail, the length of which is approximately 30 centimeters, and this is the result of evolutionary processes. Like all representatives of the cat family, the ancestors of the lynx had long tails, which helped them maintain balance when running and jumping. However, in the course of evolution, a random mutation occurred, which led to the shortening of the tail.
The lynx's tail looks like it's been cut off. Image source: wildlife.by
This trait turned out to be very useful for the survival of lynxes, as they are large and heavy animals that are not capable of running quickly over long distances. A long tail made them vulnerable to larger predators that could grab them by it. A short tail, on the contrary, gave lynxes an advantage, allowing them to get away from their pursuers faster.
A baby lynx with a short tail. Photo source: stock.adobe.com
In addition, lynxes live in dense forests, where a long tail is not as important for maneuverability as in their smaller and faster relatives. As a result of the evolutionary process, it was the short tail that was fixed in this species as an advantage that helps to preserve life and pass on genes to future generations.
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When did lynxes appear
Scientists believe that lynxes appeared more than 4 million years ago, which makes them one of the most ancient representatives of the cat family. The very first lynx species in the world is considered to be Lynx issiodorensis. This extinct species lived in Europe during the late Pliocene and Pleistocene and is probably of African origin.
Scientists believe that lynxes are of African origin. Photo source: nationalgeographic.com
The Lynx issiodorensis had short but strong limbs and a larger head, making it more similar to the common cat than modern lynxes. It is believed to be the ancestor of all lynx species that exist today.
Remains of a lynx Lynx issiodorensis. Photo source: wikimedia.org
Do lynxes hunt people?
In the wild, lynxes rarely attack people, but this does not mean that they are completely safe. For example, in Lesosibirsk, an escaped domestic lynx once bit a man who was trying to catch it.
Lynxes try not to attack people unless they are in danger. Photo source: koshka.top
Experts believe that when meeting a wild animal, you should never turn your back on it and run away. The predator may perceive this as a signal to pursue. It is best to slowly retreat, making loud sounds to scare the animal away. Lynxes usually avoid people, but may attack if they feel threatened.
If attacked, the lynx can inflict very serious injuries. Photo source: hab.mk.ru
If an attack does occur, it is important to protect your head with your hands and curl up into the fetal position. This will help minimize damage and may make the predator lose interest. In the forest, it is better to be vigilant in advance: make loud sounds and make fires in parking lots so that animals know that there is a person nearby.
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If you liked this article, be sure to read our material “5 ancient monsters that lived on the territory of modern Russia.” You will learn a lot of interesting things!