Lynx canadensis

1. Alcaide, M., Messina, E., Richter, M., Bargiela, R., Peplies, J., Huws, S. A., Newbold, C. J., Golyshin, P. N., Simon, M. A., Lopez, G., Yakimov, M. M., Ferrer, M. (2012). Gene sets for utilization of primary and secondary nutrition supplies in the distal gut of endangered Iberian lynx. PLoS One. 7(12), e51521. 

2. Aldama, J. J., Beltran, J. F., & Delibes, M. (1991). Energy expenditure and prey requirements of free-ranging Iberian lynx in Southwestern Spain. Journal of Wildlife Management. 55(4), 635-641.

3. Biek, R., Zarnke, R. L., Gillin, C., Wild, M., Squires, J. R., & Poss, M. Serologic survey for viral and bacterial infections in western populations of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis). Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 38(4), 840-845.

4. Gonthier, G. (2009). Écureuil roux - red squirrel. [Online image]. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/gillesgonthier/3621028576

5. Hanwell, A. & Peaker, M. (1977). Physiological effects of lactation on the mother. Symp Zool Soc London. 41, 297-312.

6. Hoving, C. L., Harrison, D. J., Krohn, W. B., Jakubas, W. J., & McCollough. (2004). Canada lynx Lynx canadensis habitat and forest succession in Northern Maine, USA. Wildlife Biology. 10(1), 285-294.

7. James, W. (2016). Lynx cat. [Online image]. Pixnio. https://pixnio.com/fauna-animals/lynx-cat/three-eartagged-canada-lynx-kittens-lynx-canadesis#img_info

8. Karasov, W. H. (1992). Daily energy expenditure and the cost of activity in mammals. Amer Zool. 32, 238-248.

9. Kuiper, C. (2014). White-tailed deer. [Online image]. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/conradkuiper/12391044373

10. Lavoie, M., Renard, A., & Lariviere, S. (2019). Lynx canadensis (Carnivora: Felidae). Mammalian Species. 51(985), 136-154.

11. Morch, T. (2012). Lynx lynx. [Online image]. Wikimedia commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lynx_lynx_(geypa)-cropped.jpg

12. Morin, S. J., Bowman, J., Marrotte, R. R., & Fortin, M. J. (2020). Fine-scale habitat selection by sympatric Canada lynx and bobcat. Ecology and Evolution. 10(17), 9396-9409.

13. Mowat, G. & Slough, B. (2003). Habitat preference of Canada lynx through cycle in snowshoe hare abundance. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 81(10), 1736-1745.

14. Poole, K. G. (2003). A review of the Canada lynx, Lynx canadensis, in Canada. Canadian Field-Naturalist. 117(3), 360-376.

15. Powers, J. G., Mautz, W. W., & Pekins, P. J. (1989). Nutrient and energy assimilation of prey by bobcats. Journal of Wildlife Management. 53(4), 1004-1008.

16. Saunders, J. K., Jr. (1964). Physical characteristics of the Newfoundland lynx. Journal of Mammalogy. 45(1), 36-47.

17. Stevens, A. (2020). Canada lynx. [Online image]. Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/lynx-animal-predator-nature-cat-5207669/

18. Stevens, C. E. (1977). Comparative physiology of the digestive system. In Duke’s Physiology of Domestic Animals, ed. M. J. Swenson, 9th ed., pp.216-232. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. 

19. Vashon, J. 2016. Lynx canadensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T12518A101138963. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T12518A101138963.en. Downloaded on 25 March 2021.

Aldama et al. (1991). Energy costs of resting (Cr), locomotion (Cl), hunting plus eating (Ch+e), and daily energy expenditure (DEE) for male and female Iberian lynx. The authors stated that the energy expenditure of resting (Cr) is roughly the same as the basal metabolic rate (BMR). Thus, they estimated the BMR to be 234 kcal for the male and 162 kcal for the female, and the DEE is estimated to be 914 kcal for the male and 673 kcal for the female.

DEE Reproduction:

Using Hanwell and Peaker (1977) equation and average weight of the Iberian lynx from Aldama et al. (1991).

Y = 127.2W^0.69

Y = 127(12)^0.69

Y = 705.4 kcal

Snowshoe Hare:

BMR for maintenance using Kleiber (1947) equation and weight from Aldama et al. (1977).

Y = 70W^0.75

Y = 70(0.89)^0.75

Y = 64.1 kcal

DEE equation from Karasov, W. H. (1992).

DEE = 4.1BMR

DEE = 4.1(64.1)

DEE = 262.8 kcal

White-tailed Deer:

Y = 70W^0.75

Y = 70(48.9)^0.75

Y = 1294.4 kcal

DEE = 4.1BMR

DEE = 4.1(1294.4)

Stevens, C. E. (1977).

The Canada lynx is an obligate carnivore and thus, consumes solely other animal species. The digestive anatomy is very similar to that of the domestic cat as they are both from the Felidae family, as with all species under this category. They are a monogastric and non-ruminant animal, possessing a simple stomach that is physiologically and biochemically similar to that of humans. Digestion is divided into four main stages: ingestion and mastication of food in the mouth, physical and chemical digestion in the stomach, enzymatic digestion and absorption of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in the small intestine, and water absorption and waste storage in the large intestine. There is minimal microbial fermentation occurring since plant material is absent from the diet. This explains the very small and non-functional cecum in carnivores and most omnivores.

Alcaide, M. (2012).

Gonthier, G. (2009). Red squirrel.

The Canada lynx primarily hunt the snowshoe hare and the two species rely heavily on each other’s cyclicity for the balance of the ecosystem. However, in times of cyclic lows alternate prey such as squirrels (red squirrel, arctic ground squirrel), birds (grouse, duck), rodents (North American deermouse, beaver, muskrat), white-tailed deer, red fox, domestic animals (cats, cows, chickens), and carrion may be depended upon for survival (10). Since both the lynx and the hare prefer colder climates, they live in the same region year round. With this being said, there are Northern and Southern populations across North America. The interdependence of the lynx and the hare is lower in the United States, allowing for a wider choice of prey. In addition, warmer climates usually come with a decline in the snowshoe hare, indicating that they have a smaller habitat range than the lynx.

Kuiper, C. (2014). White-tailed deer.

As of current, there is no literature on any toxins, anti-nutrients or limiting nutrients that may affect the lynx under natural conditions. They are obligate carnivores so they only eat other animals and therefore, would not be prone to toxins found in some plants. However, consumption of other animals especially carrions may present a disease risk from bacteria and parasites. As such, it has been documented that the lynx has antibodies against Yersinia pestis, feline parvovirus, Francisella tularensis, and feline coronavirus, which are some of the common pathogens that can infect felids (3). Although this is the case, the prevalence of antibodies is low which suggests that actual disease occurrence is rare in the population.

Nutritional Value and Energy Content:

Powers et al. (1989). Proximate analysis of the snowshoe hare and the white-tailed deer, two common prey of the Canada lynx.

Vashon, J. (2016).

Mowat and Slough (2003).

Morin et al. (2020).

Stevens, A. (2020).

The Canada lynx breed during early spring in March and April and give birth during the summer in May and July (10). Gestation lasts 61 to 70 days and females usually reproduce once each year depending on snowshoe hare density. When the density is low, interbirth intervals may be one or two years. On the other hand, yearlings often only give birth when snowshoe hares are in abundance. 

WDNR, (2010).

Morch, T. (2012).

The Canada lynx is a medium-sized cat with distinguishable characteristics which are their pointed black ear tufts, a short black-tipped tail, large webbed paws, and silver-grey to red-brown pelage. The different coat colour is attributed to a change in seasonality, being lighter during the winter and darker during the summer. 

James, W. (2016).

Kingdom: Animalia

Subkingdom: Bilateria

Infrakingdom: Deuterostomia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Infraphylum: Gnathostomata

Superclass: Tetrapoda

Class: Mammalia

Subclass: Theria

Infraclass: Eutheria

Order: Carnivora

Suborder: Feliformia

Family: Felidae

Subfamily: Felinae

Genus: Lynx