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.
Canada Lynxes, sometimes called Canadian Lynxes, are endemic to North America and their numbers are intricately tied to population cycles of their primary prey - the snowshoe hare.
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)
Unique Facts
~ Numbers linked to snowshoe hares ~
~ Legal trapping programs CA ~
~ Endemic to North America ~
Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) Classification
The Canada Lynx belongs to the genus Lynx and the full 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)
Subfamily: Felinae (small cats)
Species: Lynx canadensis (Canada Lynx)
Subspecies: none
The scientific name for the Canada Lynx is Lynx canadensis; which is also known as the binomial name, species name, Latin name, biological name or zoological name.
View Lynxes of the World Print
Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) Subspecies
Lower Classifications
The Canada Lynx is a monotypic species and as per the current Felidae taxonomy revision there are no recognized subspecies.
Canada Lynx Conservation
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.
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.
International Society for Endangered Cats - Canadian Cats
National Wildlife Federation - Canada Lynx
Please support these organizations with their important work. No matter how small or large your contribution, every bit helps!
View Wild Cats of North America Print
Canada Lynx Facts and Information
The following websites have well researched and authoritative information on the Canada Lynx:
- Canada Lynx Status and Distribution Map - IUCN Red List
- Canada Lynx Detailed Information - IUCN Cat Specialist Group
- Canada Lynx Academic Literature pdf - IUCN Cat Specialist Group
- Canada Lynx Fact Sheet pdf - Wildscreen Arkive
- Canada Lynx Information - ISEC Int. Soc. Endangered Cats
