Ecosystem
Snowy and cold climate
The Canada Lynx are widely distributed in Canada and parts of Alaska (and even Europe). They are found in boreal forests all across Canada and extending to Northern United States (including Montana, Idaho, Washington etc.) They make their dens underneath fallen trees, tree stumps, rock ledges and thick bushes. The Canada Lynx enjoy old, mature forests with downed trees and windfalls rather than forests with open spaces. Open spaces are where the lynxes hunt. They like places with lots of vegetation and rocky outcrops. There are more lynx found in Northern Canada rather than southern, most likely because the temperatures are much colder and there is an abudance of snow (perfect for hunting). The lynx have a heavy coat that allows them to live in colder climates and their feet allow them to walk through snow. The Lynx inhabits the entire Canadian province of Yukon with the exception of artic coastal plain. However, due to human activites, lynxes no longer are found in Prince Edward Island. Their total range in North America is 7.7 million km2.
Each adult lynx has its own home range where it lives alone. The ranges vary in size however males generally have larger ranges than females. A male range commonly overlaps multiple female ranges (prepare for reproduction). Lynxes mark their range with signposts (urine). It tells other lynxes to keep out. Young kittens live with their mothers until they are 1 years old. For more information on the life cycle of the cats, click here and scroll down
In times of food shortage (due to lack of snowshoe hares), some lynxes travel great distances from their home range in search of food. They return back to their home range but have been spotted several kilometers away from their habitat. Sometimes, a lynx may go onto a road and be hit.
If farms are located between forestry areas, lynx also live there. Below is a map of the range of Canada Lynx in Canada (see caption for more).
Each adult lynx has its own home range where it lives alone. The ranges vary in size however males generally have larger ranges than females. A male range commonly overlaps multiple female ranges (prepare for reproduction). Lynxes mark their range with signposts (urine). It tells other lynxes to keep out. Young kittens live with their mothers until they are 1 years old. For more information on the life cycle of the cats, click here and scroll down
In times of food shortage (due to lack of snowshoe hares), some lynxes travel great distances from their home range in search of food. They return back to their home range but have been spotted several kilometers away from their habitat. Sometimes, a lynx may go onto a road and be hit.
If farms are located between forestry areas, lynx also live there. Below is a map of the range of Canada Lynx in Canada (see caption for more).
This is a map of the range of Canada Lynx in 2007. The population range has not signifigantly changed since. There is a large amount of lynx in the territories of Yukon and Northwest due to their cold climate and snowy conditions. They are also seen in rural forest parts of a range of provinces such as Ontario and Alberta. The Canada Lynx generally stays in northern Canada, but is also seen in parts of Northern United States.