LYNX
(Lynx lynx)

The lynx belongs to the cat family. They weigh 18-25 kg and have a body length of 85-110 cm. Lynx have short tails and characteristic tufts of black hair on the tip of the ears. They have a ruff under the neck, which has black bars. They have large paws padded for walking on snow and long whiskers on the face. The body color varies from light brown to grey; and occasionally, is marked with dark brown spots, especially on the limbs.

Lynx are usually solitary, although a small group of lynx may travel and hunt together. They feed on a wide range of animals from rein deer and deer to smaller mammels like hare and rodents. Lynx inhabit the high altitude forests with dense cover of shrubs, reeds, and grass. Although the cat hunts on the ground, it can climb trees, and it swims, catching fish.

Even though the lynx is found in the northern regions of Scandinavia, it is primarily found in North America and also in pockets in the Himalayas. In winter time they grow a thick fur and undercoat to protect them agains the ice and snow in the cold climates that thay have adapted to.

Mating takes place in the late winter and they give birth to 2 to 4 kittens once a year. Lynx cubs are born in may-june. They stay hidden for many weeks before they start venturing outside with their mother. The mother and her cubs stay together for approx. a year. She teaches them which animals to prey on and how to hunt them. After a year she is ready to breed again and leaves the cubs for good. At this time they are strong and able to hunt on their own.

Join us on our predator guiding and experience our lynx in action!

Read more about our predator guiding here.




The lynx of Polar Zoo are sponsored by