Lynx and Hare Summary The enormous carnivorous cat known as the Canadian Lynx lives in the northern boreal woods of North America. The lynx is a large cat with long legs and large feet that can walk easily across snow. It prefers to stalk and ambush prey because it is unable to sprint incredibly swiftly for an extended period of time. Despite preferring to reside in forests, it will occupy other environments if there are many prey species nearby, especially snowshoe hares. Lynxes may easily cohabit in great numbers with these hares in regenerated woods since they thrive there. If there are fewer hares, the lynxes will need larger hunting areas. On rare occasions, lynxes have left the boreal forests and relocated to habitats on flat prairies. When lynxes moved closer meadows and even major cities in the years 1962–1963, this was clearly demonstrated. Lynxes shifted as a result of a fall in hare populations, which caused this. Hare populations fluctuate over time, peaking at certain points and then severely declining at other times. When the hare population drops to exceptionally low levels, lynxes are forced to move. Since snowshoe hares only survive for about ten years, the population of lynx experiences rapid population surges and dips. Excessive snowshoe hare trapping has a deleterious effect on lynx populations, which is troubling given that they are also hunted. Sometimes the local lynx population entirely vanishes. Restrictions on trapping have helped the lynx population rebound. Although snowshoe hares are the lynx's primary prey, they have more food options in the summer. As the hare population decreases, lynxes will begin preying on other animals, such as caribou calves. Lynxes are no longer considered to be threatened due to an increase in population. Lynxes enjoy hunting alone and prefer the nighttime. Because they are not good runners, they are skilled at using their smell to hunt their prey. They are successful hunters because they are adept climbers and have good stealth. The lynxes mate during the months of February and March each year. During this time, hunting patterns change. Within approximately 60 days, the kittens are born. They rarely make use of dens. When hare populations plummet, many lynxes die out, making it unlikely that the kittens will survive. The only threat to lynxes, other than starvation, is trapping because they do not have a natural predator. In addition, it is known that they do not have any diseases that could be harmful to their neighborhood. When trapping becomes particularly bad, lynx populations can be completely eradicated from a particular region. Due to the high perceived value of lynx coats, attempts at trapping have increased. Limitations have been placed on the use of traps, safeguarding the lynx from harm. The population of lynxes has stabilized as a result of the significantly reduced risk they now face from humans.
