Lynx

The May 2010 issue of the National Geographic published a brief article on the Iberian Lynx, informing everyone that this animal is almost extinct. Experts are trying to save and increase the population of the Iberian Lynx--in southern Spain and eastern Portugal.

A lynx is one of four species of medium-sized wild cats. A lynx has a short tail and tufts of black hair on the top of its ears. It has a ruff under the neck with almost invisible black bars resembling a bow tie. It has large padded paws to walk on snow, and long whiskers on the face. The color of the body varies from medium brown to gold or beige-white. It is marked with dark brown spots, especially on the limbs. All species of lynx have white fur on their chests, bellies and on the insides of their legs as extension of the chest and belly fur.

A lynx has extremely good hearing and has 28 teeth, which stab deeply into the prey. The smallest species is the bobcat and the Canada Lynx, weighing between 22 and 29 pounds. The largest is the Eurasian Lynx, weighing 40 to 55 pounds.

The lynx is usually solitary, although small groups of lynx travel and hunt together occasionally. Mating occurs in late witner and gives birth from 2 to 6 kittens once a year. The gestation time is 70 days. The young stay with the mother for one more winter, approximately nine months, before they move to live on their own. A lynx lives in crevices or under ledges. It feeds on white-tailed deer, reindeer, roe deer, small red deer, chamois, snowshoe hares, fish, fox, sheep, pets, squirrels, mice, turkeys, goats, ptarmigan, voles, and grouse. The lynx lives in shrubs, reeds, and tall grass. Although this animal hunts on the ground, it can climb trees and can swim swiftly, catching fish.

Experts are attempting to bring lynx into the Slovenian Alps, the Croatian regions of Gorski Kotar, and Switzerland. The lynx is rather common in Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Russia, and Poland. The Canadian Lynx is common in Canada and Alaska. A few lynx has been seen in North Carolina.

The lynx is considered a national animal in the Republic of Macedoni, and the national animal of Romania. The lynx is the mascot of the Minnesota Womens Basketball Team.

The lynx is another example of God's unique, marvelous creatures. I hope YOU appreciate the lynx. Much more than this, I hope YOU are thankful for and worship the God of the Creator of all that is.

Share YOUR thoughts with others. Let me hear from YOU.

John Willis