Lynx canadensis

Photographed at the Muskoka Wildlife Centre near Orillia, Ontario on a workshop by Raymond J. Barlow (www.raymondbarlow.com), using a Nikon D90 and an 18-200 mm Nikkor lens.

The Canada Lynx is one of three cats that inhabit Canada’s boreal forest. These seldom seen creatures are smaller in comparison to the Cougar and slightly larger than the Bobcat. They are primarily found throughout Cape Breton Island and Newfoundland and in the forested areas of northern New Brunswick.

Defining characteristics of the Lynx are the long “tufts” of fur on the ears, longer back legs than the Bobcat and large paws covered in thick, coarse hair and toes that spread out and function much like snowshoes on snow. These large paws allow the Lynx to live in a more northerly habitat than the Bobcat, allowing it to hunt in deep snow, which reduces competition for food. Since the Canada Lynx cannot run fast, it must stalk and ambush its prey at close proximity.