Minnesota Profile: Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis)

Appearance The Canada lynx's distinguishing features are its long, black tufts on pointy ears and a short tail with a black tip. The toes on its relatively large feet spread out so that it can walk atop deep, soft snow as if wearing snowshoes. At first glance, you could mistake a lynx for its close cousin the bobcat. But if the feline stands still long enough for you to get a good look, you've most likely seen a lynx. A bobcat has streaks of white in its tail, and it would bolt in the presence of people.

Minnesota status Minnesota once had the largest lynx population in the Midwest. Despite logging and other human disturbance, lynx seemed to maintain population cycles of about 10 years. In the late 1990s, however, their numbers didn't rebound on schedule. In 2000 the Canada lynx was listed as a federally threatened species.

In 2003 the Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth began a study to answer questions about lynx distribution, abundance, long-term persistence, and habitat needs in Minnesota. The DNR and U.S. Forest Service are collaborating on the study. Biologists have captured 30 lynx and fitted them with GPS or radio collars to track them. "Over the past two years, we've had female lynx in our study denning and having kittens in Minnesota," says Ron Moen, biologist and study coordinator. He estimates 200 to 400 lynx in the state.

Range The lynx ranges across most of Canada, west into Alaska, and south into the Rockies and Minnesota. Most adult males in the Minnesota study visit Ontario for a few days to several months each year. Females in the study tend to stay within a 20-square-mile area in Minnesota.

Habitat Canada lynx prey almost exclusively on snowshoe hares; so where the snowshoe hare goes, so does the lynx. Snowshoe hares need young, regenerating forests of aspen for food and conifers for cover. Lynx also use older forests, where fallen trees provide cover for dens.

Behavior Active throughout the day, lynx tend to be most active in the early morning and late afternoon. Because they're not frightened by human activity, they are susceptible to being shot, hit by cars, and trapped. Six of the study lynx have died: one probably killed by a hungry fisher and the others by human activities.

Sightings To aid research, report any lynx sighting to the DNR. Send e-mail to yvette.monstad@state.mn.us, or call 800-234-0054. For photographs and information, go to http://www.nrri.umn.edu/lynx.

June Kallestad, Natural Resources Research Institute