Where does the Eurasian lynx live?
The Eurasian lynx is widely distributed, from northern, central and eastern Europe to Central Asia and Siberia, the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas. It inhabits temperate and boreal forests, up to 5,500 m. It needs rugged country with plenty of hideouts and stalking opportunities. In the more mountainous parts of its range, it descends to the lowlands in winter, following prey and avoiding deep snow.
What does the Eurasian lynx eat?
It is a discreet cat that hunts small ungulates, such as roe deer. It is recognisable by its long legs, short tail and pointed ears. It is less common where the grey wolf is abundant, as wolves have been reported to attack and even eat lynx.
Is the Eurasian lynx endangered?
The IUCN lists it as Least Concern, but despite its wide distribution it is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching and depletion of prey. By the 1950s it had become extinct in most of Western and Central Europe. In Norway, an official bounty lasted from 1846 to 1980: there were 410 lynx in 1996, fewer than 260 in 2004, then about 452 mature individuals by 2008.
