Mammals · Carnivora · Felidae

Eurasian Lynx

Lynx lynx

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

Its huge paws work as natural snowshoes, growing larger and more thickly padded in winter to spread its weight across the snow.

Weight

14 kg – 30 kg

Size

80 cm – 1.3 m

Lifespan

12 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

Temperate forestTundraCarnivore Nocturnal Solitary Feline Temperate forest Tundra Mammal

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Fun facts

It feeds mainly on small ungulates such as roe deer, along with hares, birds and rodents.
It lives in the boreal and temperate forests of Europe, Siberia, Central Asia and East Asia.
One individual reached a record of 24 to 25 years in captivity.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Boreal and temperate forests of Europe, Siberia, Central Asia and East Asia
Birth weight: 240-350 g at birth, blind and with a spotted coat
Size at birth: 240-350 g at birth
Sexual maturity: Female: ~2 years | Male: ~2-3 years
Gestation / incubation: 67-74 days
Litter / clutch size: 1 to 4 young per litter (most commonly 2-3)
Lifespan in captivity: Documented record of up to 24-25 years

Sources consulted: Brightszoo; GBIF (Lynx lynx species account); Animal Diversity Web; A-Z Animals; ScienceDirect Topics; Animal Start; Britannica; Wiley (litter size study)