Canadian Lynx

The Canadian Lynx is found in the forests of northern United States and Canada. They are found mostly in forested areas, swamps, and in the tundra in Northern Canada.

They are stout-bodied animals with thick, soft fur and short, stubby tails. They also have a tuft of hair, more than 2 cm long, at the tip of each ear. Their backs are dark Grey and their belly is grayish-white, often with black spots. They have long legs and extremely large feet that enable it to travel easily over deep snow. They are very agile climbers, spending some of their time in good weather on the limbs of trees, waiting for the weaker mammals and terrestrial birds that constitute their prey to pass beneath them.

It is common for Canadian Lynx to stalk their prey. They generally hunt alone, although group hunting and ambushing has been observed. They feed mostly on Snowshoe Hares. They will also eat small birds, rodents, deer, and caribou. Although not a timid hunter, the lynx will rarely contest its prey if confronted by other carnivores and will leave the kill uneaten. But when it comes to protecting their young, nothing holds them back.  This information was taken from www.bearcountryusa.com

At Cub Creek Science Camp we have a Canadian Lynx named Jazz, that was born in June of 2010.  Jazz spends his summers in the Habitat area of the Animal Learning Center.  During the winter months he lives in the camp director and her family.  He has been known to sit on the back of a chair and groom the back of your head by licking and licking and licking.  He loves to jump and play and can be quite rowdy. He eats fresh ground chicken, bones and all.  While in the Martin's home he is shy and very cautious of strangers.  When he is in the Habitats he is always in full "play" mode.