Field guide · species

Canada Lynx

Lynx canadensis

The Canada lynx is a northern forest cat with a close ecological connection to snowshoe hares. Changes in hare abundance can influence lynx populations, illustrating how prey availability shapes a predator’s life.

Public research profile · final editorial review pending.

Tree of lifeScientific lineage
  1. LifeLife
  2. DomainEukaryota
  3. KingdomAnimalia
  4. PhylumChordata
  5. ClassMammalia
  6. OrderCarnivora
  7. FamilyFelidae
  8. GenusLynx
  9. SpeciesLynx canadensis
Advanced classification

Complete source lineage, including intermediate ranks. The standard view uses Life and the eight principal ranks.

  1. cellular organisms cellular root
  2. Eukaryota domain
  3. Opisthokonta clade
  4. Metazoa kingdom
  5. Eumetazoa clade
  6. Bilateria clade
  7. Deuterostomia clade
  8. Chordata phylum
  9. Craniata subphylum
  10. Vertebrata clade
  11. Gnathostomata clade
  12. Teleostomi clade
  13. Euteleostomi clade
  14. Sarcopterygii superclass
  15. Dipnotetrapodomorpha clade
  16. Tetrapoda clade
  17. Amniota clade
  18. Mammalia class
  19. Theria clade
  20. Eutheria clade
  21. Boreoeutheria clade
  22. Laurasiatheria superorder
  23. Carnivora order
  24. Feliformia suborder
  25. Felidae family
  26. Felinae subfamily
  27. Lynx genus
  28. Lynx canadensis species
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Physical traits

Long fur, broad furry feet, ear tufts and a short dark-tipped tail are characteristic.

Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

Habitat and range

Boreal forests and areas with suitable prey and cover are important habitats.

Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

Diet and nutrition

Snowshoe hares are especially significant prey, although other animals are also eaten.

Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

Behavior and activity

Adults are generally solitary and maintain ranges. Mother–young associations differ from the more independent lives of adults.

Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

Geographic distribution

The Mammal Diversity Database v2.5 records this species in Canada, United States.

Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

Evidence

Sources

Connected life

No reviewed ecological connections in the collection yet.

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