It has a pointed beard-like ruff and long legs with big paws. Its paws work like snowshoes and distribute the lynx's weight, helping it move in the snow. The lynx's range extends over most of Canada and Alaska and south into parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Lynx live deep in coniferous forests near rocky areas, bogs and swamps. They also eat birds, meadow voles, carrion, and sometimes larger animals like deer and caribou.
Lynx often store leftover kill by covering it with snow.
Adult lynx are solitary hunters, although a mother and her young will often hunt together. They usually hunt at night and stalk their prey before pouncing on it. Lynx can climb trees and will often wait on a branch for passing prey. During mating season males will follow a female. Lynx mate between February and March.