International Lynx Day

About International Lynx Day

International Lynx Day (also known as National Lynx Day in some countries) is held on June 11th each year. It’s a chance to celebrate the beauty and grace of these furtive felines and to highlight the threats they face in the wild.

Lynx are threatened by trophy hunting, commercial exploitation, and climate change. So, International Lynx Day is the perfect time to raise awareness of their plight and support lynx conservation efforts.

5 interesting lynx facts

1. Lynx are sentient beings that exhibit emotional responses, social behaviours, and strong memory and learning capabilities.
2. Lynx live in the forests of North America, Europe, and Asia. Sadly, though, these cats are losing their habitat to urbanisation and agriculture.
3. There are four lynx subspecies. The Canada lynx (also known as the Arctic lynx) and the bobcat are found in North America, while the Iberian lynx and the Eurasian lynx are found in Asia and Europe, respectively.
4. Lynx can run at 50 km/h over short distances and are excellent jumpers, leaping up to 2 metres high.
5. Lynx are killed by trophy hunters for their pelt. They’re also exploited for commercial gain in circuses and poorly-run animal centres.

Are lynx an endangered species? Threats to lynx explained

Lynx aren’t currently endangered, but their survival is threatened by illegal hunting, wildlife tourism, and climate change. 

Illegal hunting

In the US, lynx are killed for sport and their pelts. This trophy hunting harms animal welfare, threatens biodiversity, and undermines conservation and sustainable development efforts. 

In Europe, lynx are often killed by farmers who are protecting their livestock. Such human wildlife conflict also threatens lynx’s survival and the balance of their ecosystems. 

Wildlife tourism

Cruelly exploited for commercial gain, lynx are used as circus performers in some countries. They’re also kept in pseudo “sanctuaries”, where tourist entertainment — not animal welfare — is the priority.

Climate change

Climate change poses an increasing threat to lynx survival, as rising temperatures trigger wildfires in their habitat and reduce the availability of their prey. In Canada specifically, warmer temperatures are reducing winter snow cover, which Canada lynx rely on when hunting.

Lynx facts and FAQs

What is a lynx?

A lynx is a type of forest-dwelling wildcat that eats small animals. It stands out from other wildcats thanks to the pointed tufts of hair on its ears and its short, stubby tail.

How big is a lynx?

The Eurasian lynx is the biggest lynx species, weighing up to 30 kg, while the bobcat is the smallest, typically weighing between 7 and 14 kg. All are bigger than house cats but small compared to big cats like lions and tigers.

What animals do lynx eat?

A lynx’s diet depends on its habitat. Canada lynx eat snowshoe hares, Iberian lynx eat European rabbits, bobcats eat a varied diet of rabbits, hares, birds, and rodents, and Eurasian lynx are large enough to hunt deer.

Is a lynx a bobcat or a big cat?

The terms bobcat and lynx are sometimes used interchangeably. However, the bobcat is a species of lynx that lives in North America — and it’s not a big cat. Big cats include lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, and jaguars. These cats all belong to the Panthera genus and are much bigger than lynx.

Are lynx dangerous? Do they attack humans?

Lynx are typically elusive animals that ignore humans and are most active at night. However, if lynx feel threatened, they sometimes attack humans in self-defence. They’re also known to prey on livestock.