Canada Lynx Lynx canadensis

The rare Canada lynx is one of three wild cats native to Minnesota, along with the bobcat and the cougar (also called puma or mountain lion). Lynx can look similar to bobcats, but appear taller because they have longer legs. Large, furry feet help them walk on snow. Long, black tufts on pointy ears and a black-tipped short tail are other distinguishing features of the lynx. Minnesota once had the largest lynx population in the Midwest, but the species was listed as federally threatened in 2000 after continual decline. Lynx are so closely linked to their main prey, snowshoe hares, that their numbers and reproductive success depend on the availability of snowshoe hares. They will occasionally eat birds and small mammals. Lynx live in forests in the "Arrowhead" region of Minnesota. A research effort in the Great Lakes has tracked lynx movements and home ranges to better understand and manage this species. More information.