LINX

What is the lynx? The Lynx is a genus of carnivorous mammals of the family Felidae commonly known as lynx. Four species are known characterized by its medium size, strong legs, long ears, short tail and body more or less mottled.

Where dwells the lynx? All species live exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere, Eurasia and North America (of which seem to originate). The so-called African Lynx (Caracal caracal), living in Africa and much of West and Central Asia, is actually related to a feline barely keeps some external similarities with representatives Lynx result of evolutionary convergence, as are its tail exceptionally short (little more than a stump), and large ears, crowned with long tufts of black hair on the tip that serve to increase their already great audition. There are also some characteristic tufts of long hair on the cheeks.

Condition The condition is each of the four species of lynx is extremely variable. The bobcat, the Eurasian and Canadian numbers show quite high and wide distributions, while the Iberian lynx, by contrast, is the world's most endangered feline and the only listed in Category 1 of the Red List of Species IUCN. The lynx population is reduced to just 200 copies, distributed in small areas of the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula (in historical times came to the Pyrenees) among which the Coto de Doñana. Despite the recent success of the captive breeding program conducted in Spain, the species is still declining because of the outrages on public roads, the destruction of their habitat and the growing scarcity of their food base, rabbit Europe, mainly due to myxomatosis. Deaths also occur when animals are caught in traps for rabbits and even being hunted by poachers but, fortunately, the latter is sending through the ever closer government protection.

Feeding Unlike other feline related, European lynxes base their diet on capturing ungulates, usually young, who sometimes are up to four times larger than themselves. These dams include deer, camels, deer, mouflon, musk oxen, chamois, wild goats and reindeer. Young individuals and those living in poor areas in ungulates most commonly eaten hares, rabbits, pikas, rodents, birds and, when given the opportunity, other smaller carnivores, among which include its relative, the cat Eurasian wild.

Curiosities • The Iberian lynx is considered the world's most endangered feline. • The basis of the diet of the Iberian lynx is the rabbit. However, in the winter season, when the rabbit population is low, look for other foods, such as ducks, deer and various rodents. • The current wild population of Iberian lynx is believed to be less than 1200, with only about 300-350 females of breeding age. • The reduction in the number of European rabbits, due to diseases like myxomatosis and hemorrhagic pneumonia poxvirus, have had a direct negative effect on the Iberian lynx. • The Iberian lynx needs one rabbit per day. • While it is a nocturnal animal during most of the year, the Iberian lynx have diurnal activity peaks in the winter months. • Saliega is the name of a female lynx, who was born in Sierra Morena, Spain on March 29, 2005. She was the first lynx born in captivity. • Thanks to numerous conservation efforts this feline species has remained stable in quantity in the Doñana region. • The Iberian lynx has a life expectancy of 13 years. • The gestation period for a female is 60 days.

Trabajo realizado por: José Miguel Martínez Espín