By Keith Williams (on Flickr), [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The beautiful thickly furred Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) is one of the few cat species that still have healthy populations in its remote range in Canada. Nevertheless due to trapping for their luxurious fur, populations have declined in southern areas where they were less abundant and local protection measures have become necessary.
Lynx Lineage
1. Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx)
2. Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis)
3. Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)
4. Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis)
Key Facts about Canada Lynxes
~ Numbers linked to snowshoe hares ~
~ Legal trapping programs CA ~
~ Endemic to North America ~
Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) Classification
The taxonomy or scientific classification of the Canada Lynx species (Lynx canadensis) is as follows:
Kingdom: Animalia (animals)
Phylum: Chordata (vertebrates)
Class: Mammalia (mammals)
Order: Carnivora (carnivores)
Suborder: Feliformia (cat-like)
Family: Felidae (cats)
Species: Lynx canadensis (Canada Lynx)
View Lynxes of the World Print
Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) Subspecies
Lower Classifications
The global conservation status of the Canada Lynx, also known as Canadian Lynx, is Least Concern (LC), but the cat is listed as "Endangered" and "Threatened" under local legislation in some parts of its southern range. Currently there are no recognized subspecies.
Canada Lynx Conservation
The following organizations are involved in protecting the Canada Lynx by ensuring harvesting is sustainable in Canada, and to mitigate further declines due to excessive trapping, habitat destruction and fragmentation in its southern range.
View Wild Cats of North America Print
Canada Lynx Facts and Information
The following links will take you to websites with well researched and authoritative information on the Canada Lynx:
- Canada Lynx Fact Sheet - ISEC
- Canada Lynx Status and Distribution Map - IUCN Red List
- Canada Lynx Detailed Information and Academic Reference List - IUCN Cat Specialist Group
