Lynx live in cold northern latitudes where snow lies deep for much of the year. As adaptations to the lower temperatures they have shorter tails than the bobcats and their foot pads are well protected with a dense covering of fur, while those of the bobcat are bare. The longer legs of the lynx are also an adaptation to traveling through deep snow, where the bobcat is at a disadvantage. Warning Off Intruders North American cats advertise land occupancy largely by scent and visual signals. The means used to warn off intruders include the depositing of urine, feces, and anal gland secretions, and making scrapes in the ground.
Vocalizations play little part.
Intruding cats coming across such marks usually respect the prior rights of other cats, as newcomers seldom succeed in permanently settling in areas already occupied by residents. Body posture and facial expressions are probably effective close-range signals when two animals meet.