Lynx - Natural History

Lynx kittens

One of 2 wildcats in Maine
Adult lynx weigh between 20 and 30 lbs, are grey in color with a completely black tipped tail, long black tufts on their ears and have large feet that act like snowshoes
Like their primary prey, snowshoe hare, lynx are adapted for living in areas with deep snow
Snowshoe hares are most common in dense young spruce/fir forests where they can hide from predators and find food.
When snowshoe hares are abundant lynx are abundant
In Maine, lynx give birth to 1-5 kittens in May
Although kittens are weaned by 3 months of age, kittens stay with their mother for their first year
Female lynx often remain near their mother’s range and males often disperse further in the search for a territory
With the exception of the mating season male lynx are often solitary
Lynx can breed at 2 years of age and can produce a litter each year
Lynx can live up to 14 years