The lynx has thick fur and large padded feet which act like snow shoes to survive in its harsh, snowy winter home. They are all considered to be races of the Northern Lynx. Lynx inhabit heavily forested and shrubby mountainous areas. To protect its territory, a Lynx may cover many miles a day, patrolling and scent marking. They have little stamina, so they rely on these senses to stalk their prey and then pounce, rather than chasing over long distances.
Lynx are good swimmers and climbers.
Prey species usually include rodents, hares, rabbits and birds. However, Lynx are very powerful and have been known to attack animals up to the size of a deer. Lynx cubs are born in the spring in a den. They are blind at birth and stay with their mother until they are weaned, usually for a year. Lynx are threatened by human destruction of their forest homes to plant cereal crops, and by persecution due to the threat they pose to domestic animals.