The lynx is the northernmost member of the cat family. In many countries, this predator is almost exterminated. Today, its habitats are Finland, Greece, Ukraine, Albania, Hungary, Romania, Spain, Czech Republic, Russia, Poland, Yugoslavia.

The red lynx is a rather large cat, weighing an average of eight to fifteen kilograms, with a short, knocked down body 80-105 centimeters long.

Lynxes living in more northern regions differ from southern representatives in larger sizes and longer hair. Short, like a chopped off tail, has a length of 20-35 centimeters. The limbs are long, powerful and very wide, especially the front ones. In winter, they are covered with a longer and thicker coat. This makes them similar to snowshoes not only in appearance, but also in their qualities, that is, the specific load on the legs of the animal is reduced, and in combination with high paws, this greatly facilitates movement in deep snow.

A neat round head, a short muzzle, large eyes with vertical pupils, thick and long hair along the edges of the muzzle, creating sideburns, in harmony with sharp triangular ears with expressive tassels at the ends, make the image of a lynx very pretty.

The predator molts twice a year in autumn and spring. The lynx fur is special, unlike any other fur of the representatives of the cat world. It is tall, thick and silky, the longest on the belly of the animal.

Appearance

Saddle and head has a color from reddish-steel to bluish-silver with a red tint. The speck is brown, the largest on the sides and back. The fur on the belly is snow-white with a small, rarely scattered speck. The summer outfit of the lynx is much shorter and stiffer, and colored more expressively. The tassels on the ears and the bony tail become black, and the border around the eyes, the back of the ear and whiskers become whiter. The lynxes of the north have a more restrained and muted color and spotting than the lynxes of the southern territories of Europe.

habitats

Most of the range of this predator is spruce-fir forests with a dense middle and lower tier. Mountain forests with rocky parts are especially loved by this cat. However, territories with a rugged dissected landscape are also pleasant for her. The lynx also lives in low overgrown forests, forest-tundra, and forest-steppe. Most often you can meet it in the southern limits of the low-mountain taiga, with little snow and less cold, with a large amount of game.

Nutrition and lifestyle

Like any animal, the lynx prefers places rich in prey. Long journeys are not for her. The diet consists of small ungulates, black grouse, various rodents, partridges. This is a great hunter. Adult lynxes go hunting only at dusk, only young individuals can hunt during the day. During the night, a predator can overcome the route from 6 to 10 kilometers. With a lack of food, the march may increase. IN winter time on dense crust, lynxes walk widely, and when the snow is very deep, they use the paths of other animals, ski paths, and ice massifs of rivers.

The lynx ingeniously hides its tracks. If the snow surface is not uniform, it gently steps over the snow dents, thereby leaving no noticeable imprints of its own.

Listen to the voice of the red lynx

The lynx more than compensates for its weak sense of smell with very fine hearing and sharp eyesight. This is a very cautious and prudent animal. Sudden danger can cause her to leave in huge leaps or climb to great heights. When the suspicious noise is still far away, the lynx listens for a long time, peers, before slowly leaving. But for all its cautious behavior, the lynx is not particularly afraid of humans. In especially harsh and hungry winters, the lynx may visit villages and cities in search of food.

The lynx goes hunting alone. And only a mother lynx with young lynxes can hunt in a group. Lynxes are the most inconspicuous, silent and patient hunters.

They hunt by stealth, which means they get close to the victim at a distance ideal for a lightning jump. The animal overcomes a segment of 10-15 meters in several jumps 2-3 meters long. If the prey is not immediately caught, the huntress may set off in pursuit, which most often ends in nothing. Having attacked a large prey, the lynx firmly digs its claws into the front part of the carcass of the animal, ruthlessly tearing the throat of the victim with its fangs. The captured animal drags the predator on itself for some time in fruitless attempts to free itself.

In winter, a male lynx eats 2.5-3 kilograms of meat per day, if he is very hungry, 5-6 kilograms. This is a rather small portion for such a predator.

Red lynx, Bobcat, Latin name: Lynx Rufus Schreber, 1777

Distribution: distributed in the southern half of North America: from the extreme south of Canada to central Mexico and from the east to west coast of the United States. The approximate area of ​​​​the range is more than 2,500,000 square km.

The red lynx is the most common wild cat on the North American continent. In general appearance, this is a typical lynx, but it is almost two times smaller than an ordinary lynx and not so long-legged and broad-legged.

Since red lynxes live in areas with a milder climate, they do not have such fur “snow skis” on their paws as their northern relative. Their fur is also not so fluffy and warm. The tassels on their ears are much smaller than those of ordinary ones. But her tail is longer. All claws are retractable. Their dental formula is i3/3, c1/1, p2/3, m1/1 x 2: 30 teeth in total.

Colour: Reddish-brown with a gray tint and numerous dark spots. Unlike real lynxes, the bobcat has a white mark on the inside of the tip of the tail, while in lynxes it is completely black. The southern subspecies have more black markings than the northern ones. There are individuals completely black (melanists) and white color(albinos), and the first - only in Florida.

The length of her body together with the tail is 76.2-127 cm (body length: 62-95cm, tail: 13-20cm), height at the withers: 45-58 cm.

Weight: males: 8.9-13.3 kg, females: 5.8-9.2 kg. The largest red lynx weighed 17.6 kg, which is officially documented.

Lifespan: They can live up to 20 years in the wild (average 15.5 years) and up to 32 years in captivity.

Habitat: The habitat of these cats is very diverse - from swamps in the southeast of the continent to rocky snowy areas in the northwest and canyons in the southeast. The bobcat lives in subtropical wetlands, on bare mountain slopes, among cacti on desert plains, in the cultural landscape, and even in the vicinity of large cities. They thrive in open spaces and forests alike, although they avoid extremely wet habitats like swamps or extremely dry ones like deserts.

Enemies: The main enemy is a man. The natural enemies of the red lynx are big cats: jaguars, cougars and Canada lynxes, as well as coyote and wolf. Fox and owl, if possible, can hunt kittens.

These predators feed mainly on voles, squirrels, mice, rats, ground squirrels, porcupines and other rodents and small mammals, birds (in particular wild turkeys), they also catch snakes, bats, insects, but American rabbits and hares remain their favorite prey. With a lack of small prey, they can also attack young ungulates (white-tailed deer), especially in winter. They are not shy about climbing farms for domestic animals (goats and sheep) and birds (chickens, turkeys, etc.). Rarely eats vegetable food, in particular fruits.

In difficult, feedless times, the lynx can even be content with carrion, and sometimes steals the carcasses of animals that have fallen into hunting traps.

Red lynxes lead a predominantly twilight lifestyle, preferring to go hunting in the evening and in the morning. Much less often they hunt at night, and during the day they can be found only in winter.

These predators have persistent habits - they have favorite places to rest and trails that are constantly used during their wanderings. Although the red lynx climbs trees well, it climbs them only in search of food and shelter, but spends most of its life on the ground.

Red lynxes are extremely mobile. The dispersal across the territory averages less than 50 km, but can reach at least 150-200 km at times when food is scarce. Red lynxes are capable of jumping over significant obstacles while hunting at high speed.

The bobcat is a patient and stealthy hunter, with excellent eyesight and hearing to aid them in hunting. The round-up of prey takes place almost exclusively on the ground, in the form of a pursuit (as an exception, it may be in an ambush in a tree). Bobcats can run up to 30 miles per hour, but they prefer to cover themselves.

They use their claws to catch the animal. The killing of its prey is done by a bite to the base of the skull (crushing the occipital vertebrae), while the predator is at the top, on the dorsal side of its prey.

Red lynxes can eat about 1.4 kg of meat at a time. If the prey is large enough, the lynx hides the leftovers to return to it the next day.

For rest, the red lynx chooses a new place every day, not lingering in the old one. It can be a crack in the rocks, a cave, a hollow log, a space under a fallen tree, etc. On the ground or snow, the red lynx takes a step about 25 - 35 cm long; the size of an individual footprint is about 4.5 x 4.5 cm. While walking, they place their hind legs exactly in the tracks left by their front paws. Because of this, they never make a very loud noise from the crackling of dry twigs under their feet. Soft pads on their feet help them to calmly sneak up to the animal at close range. Bobcats are good tree climbers and can also swim across small bodies of water, but they only do so on rare occasions.

Social Structure: Bobcats lead a solitary life, and only during the mating season do contacts occur between individuals of the opposite sex.

They are territorial animals and have their own areas, the boundaries of which can narrow or expand, which is inversely proportional to the amount of game available.

Their territorial boundaries are marked by urine, excrement and secretions from their skin glands. In addition, lynxes scratch tree trunks with their claws, which act as visual marks.

The area of ​​an individual site varies widely: from 0.2 to 80 square miles, and depends both on the type of habitat and the abundance of prey in it. So, in Louisiana, the area of ​​​​the site for a male is on average about 5 square kilometers and 1 square km for females. In Idaho, lot area averaged 42 square kilometers for males and 19 for females. In the south, in the state of Florida, even up to 500 animals per 100 km2 have been noted!

Reproduction: The breeding season is not confined to a strictly defined season, but mating usually occurs in the spring. It is interesting to note that bobcats can have two broods per year, due to the rather short gestation period. In addition, female bobcats are forced ovulators (i.e., they ovulate during mating, and in response to mating), so mating can occur at any time of the year.

Pregnant females find shelter for childbirth in dens that are built in small caves, rock heaps or large voids in tree trunks. Kittens are born blind and helpless, weigh from 280 to 340 grams, their eyes open at 10 days of age. Newborn kittens are fed by the female for 8 weeks. During this period, kittens gain about 25 g in weight daily.

The mother brings captured prey to the den for a little more than a week after weaning, and then they begin to hunt and travel with her for another three to five months. At nine months old, they begin to form their own territory.

According to some reports, both parents feed the young while they are in the den.

Breeding season/period: Breeds usually from February to June. Sometimes a female has two broods per year, usually in spring and late summer.

Puberty: Females become sexually mature at 12 months, males at 24 months.

Offspring: 2-4 kittens are born in a brood, rarely up to 6.

In Mexico, bobcats often prey on domestic animals (especially sheep) and birds, which led farmers to "declare" war on them. Their skins are beautiful, so bobcat fur is in demand and has a certain commercial value. So, for example, between 1991 and 1992 alone, about 22,000 lynx were harvested.

While ordinary lynxes reduced their numbers under the influence anthropogenic factors, redheads have learned to get along with a person. As people mastered the wilderness, they bred more and more and now live everywhere from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Its total population is estimated at about 725,000-1,020,000 individuals.

This species is now listed in Appendix II of the Sites Convention.

Subspecies of Lynx rufus:

L. r. baileyi (American and northwestern southwestern Mexico)

L. r. californicus (Pacific Coast USA - California)

L. r. escuinapae (Mexico)

L. r. fasciatus (Pacific Coast Northwestern US and Canada)

L. r. floridanus (Southeastern US)

L. r. giga (Northeastern US and Canada)

L. r. oaxacensis (Southern Mexico)

L. r. pallescens (Northwestern US and Canada)

L. r. peninsularis (Baja Peninsula)

L. r. rufus (and NE US midwestern)

L. r. superiorensis (Northern Great Lakes)

California ground cuckoo- a North American bird from the cuckoo family (Cuculidae). It lives in deserts and semi-deserts in the south and southwest of the United States and in northern Mexico.

Adult ground cuckoos reach a length of 51 to 61 cm, including the tail. They have a long, slightly curved beak. The head, crest, back and long tail are dark brown with light spots. The neck and belly are also light. The extremely long legs and long tail are adaptations for a desert-running lifestyle.

The California ground cuckoo can reach speeds of up to 42 km/h. The special arrangement of the toes also helps her in this, since both outer toes are located back, and both inner ones are forward. She flies, however, because of her short wings very poorly and can only stay in the air for a few seconds.

This bird spends most of its time on the ground and preys on snakes, lizards, insects, rodents and small birds. She is fast enough to kill even small vipers, which she grabs by the tail with her beak and beats her head on the ground like a whip. She swallows her prey whole. Own English title Road Runner (road runner) this bird received for the fact that it used to run after mail coaches and grab small animals disturbed by their wheels.

death valley

Death Valley got its name from the settlers who crossed it in 1849, trying to reach the gold mines of California by the shortest route. The guidebook briefly reports that "some stayed in it forever." The dead were poorly prepared for the passage through the desert, did not stock up on water and lost their bearings. Before his death, one of them cursed this place, calling it Death Valley. The few survivors withered the meat of the mules on the wreckage of the dismantled wagons and reached the goal. They left behind "cheerful" place names: Death Valley, Funeral Range, Last Chance Ridge, Coffin Canyon, Dead Man's Pass, Hell's Gate, Rattlesnake Gorge, etc.

Badwater Basin is the lowest part of Death Valley, located at 85.5 m below sea level. Sometime after ice age Death Valley was a huge lake with fresh water. The local hot and dry climate contributed to the inevitable evaporation of water. Annual short-term, but very intense rains wash tons of minerals from the surface of the mountains into the lowlands. The salts remaining after the evaporation of the water settle to the bottom, reaching the highest concentration in the lowest place, in the Pond with bad water. Here, rainwater lingers longer, forming small temporary lakes. Once upon a time, the first settlers were surprised that their dehydrated mules refused to drink water from these lakes, and they marked "bad water" on the map. So this place got its name. In fact, the water in the pool (when it is) is not poisonous, but it tastes very salty. There are also unique inhabitants here that are not found in other places: algae, aquatic insects, larvae and even a mollusk, named after the place of residence Badwater Snail.

Nearby is the lowest terrain in the Valley Badwater Basin. Salt behaves differently here. On an absolutely flat white surface, a uniform salt net 4-6 cm high is formed. The grid consists of figures, gravitating in shape to a hexagon, and covers the bottom of the Valley with a huge cobweb, creating an absolutely unearthly landscape.

Sailing stones, also called sliding or crawling stones, are a geological phenomenon. The stones move slowly along the clay bottom of the lake, as evidenced by the long tracks left behind them. The stones move on their own without the help of living beings, but no one has ever seen or recorded the movement on camera. Similar stone movements have been noted in several other places, but in terms of the number and length of tracks, Racetrack Playa stands out from the rest.

The territory of the park includes the Salina Valley, most of the Panamint Valley, as well as the territories of several mountain systems. Telescope Peak rises to the west, Dante’s View to the east, from which you can see beautiful view all over the valley.

Coati- a mammal from the genus nosoha of the raccoon family. This mammal received its name for an elongated and very funny mobile stigma-nose.
Their head is narrow, their hair is short, their ears are round and small. On the edge of the inner side of the ears is a white rim. Nosuha - the owner of a very long tail, which is almost always in a vertical position. With the help of the tail, the animal balances when moving. The characteristic color of the tail is the alternation of light yellow, brown and black rings.

The color of the nose is varied: from orange to dark brown. The muzzle is usually a uniform black or brown. On the muzzle, below and above the eyes, there are light spots. The neck is yellowish, the paws are painted black or dark brown.

the trap is elongated, the paws are strong with five fingers and non-retractable claws. With its claws, the nosuha digs the ground, getting food. The hind legs are longer than the front. The length of the body from the nose to the tip of the tail is 80-130 cm, the length of the tail itself is 32-69 cm. The height at the withers is about 20-29 cm. They weigh about 3-5 kg. Males are almost twice as large as females.

Nosoha live on average 7-8 years, but in captivity they can live up to 14 years. They live in tropical and subtropical forests South America and the southern United States. Their favorite place is dense bushes, low-lying forests, rocky terrain. Due to human intervention Lately noses prefer forest edges and clearings.

It is said that nosoha used to be called simply badgers, but since real badgers moved to Mexico, the true homeland of nosoha, this species has received its individual name.

All noses, including coatis, are predators! Coatis get their food with their noses, diligently sniffing and groaning, they inflate the foliage in this way and look for termites, ants, scorpions, beetles, larvae under it. Sometimes it can eat land crabs, frogs, lizards, rodents. During the hunt, the coati clamps the victim with its paws and bites through its head. In difficult times of famine, nosuhi allow themselves vegetarian cuisine, they eat ripe fruits, which, as a rule, are always in abundance in the forest. Moreover, they do not make stocks, but return to the tree from time to time.

Males usually lead a solitary life and only during the mating season do they join the family groups of females with young. In the mating season, and this is usually from October to March, one male is accepted into a group of females and young. All sexually mature females living in the group mate with this male, and soon after mating, he leaves the group.

Nosukha brings cubs once a year. Usually there are 2-6 cubs in a litter. Newborns weigh 100-180 grams and are completely dependent on the mother, who leaves the nest for a while to find food. The eyes open at about 11 days. For several weeks, the babies remain in the nest, and then leave it with their mother and join the family group.
Lactation lasts up to four months. Young coats remain with their mother until she begins to prepare for the birth of the next offspring.

Red Lynx- the most common wild cat of the North American continent. In general appearance, this is a typical lynx, but it is almost two times smaller than an ordinary lynx and not so long-legged and broad-legged. Its body length is 60-80 cm, height at the withers is 30-35 cm, weight is 6-11 kg. You can recognize a red lynx by its white

You can meet a red lynx in dense subtropical forests or in desert places among prickly cacti, on high mountain slopes or in swampy lowlands. The presence of a person does not prevent her from appearing on the outskirts of villages or small towns. This predator chooses areas for itself where it is possible to feast on small rodents, nimble squirrels or shy rabbits and even prickly porcupines.

Vision and hearing are well developed. Hunts on the ground, sneaking up on prey. With its sharp claws, the lynx holds the victim and kills it with a bite to the base of the skull. In one sitting, an adult animal eats up to 1.4 kg of meat. The remaining surplus hides and returns to them the next day.For rest, the red lynx chooses a new place every day, not lingering in the old one. It can be a crack in the rocks, a cave, a hollow log, a space under a fallen tree, etc. On the ground or snow, the red lynx takes a step about 25 - 35 cm long; the size of an individual footprint is about 4.5 x 4.5 cm. While walking, they place their hind legs exactly in the tracks left by their front paws. Because of this, they never make a very loud noise from the crackling of dry twigs under their feet. Soft pads on their feet help them to calmly sneak up to the animal at close range. Bobcats are good tree climbers and can also swim across small bodies of water, but they only do so on rare occasions.

The red lynx is a territorial animal. The lynx marks the boundaries of the site and its paths with urine and feces. In addition, she leaves marks of her claws on the trees. The male knows that the female is ready to mate by the smell of her urine. A mother with cubs is very aggressive towards any animal and person that threatens her kittens.

IN wild nature males and females love loneliness, meeting only during the breeding season. The only time when individuals of different sexes are looking for a meeting is mating season, which falls at the end of winter - the beginning of spring. The male mates with all the females that are in the same area with him. Pregnancy of the female lasts only 52 days. The cubs are born in the spring, blind and helpless. At this time, the female tolerates the male only near the den. After about a week, the babies open their eyes, but for another eight weeks they stay with their mother and feed on her milk. The mother licks their fur and warms them with her body. The female bobcat is a very caring mother. In case of danger, she takes the kittens to another shelter.

A male bobcat often occupies an area of ​​100 km2, border areas can be common to several males. The area of ​​the female is half that. Within the territory of one male, 2-3 females usually live. A male red lynx, on whose territory three females with cubs often live, has to get food for 12 kittens.

Among almost two and a half thousand species higher plants, found in the flora of the Sonoran Desert, the most widely represented are species from the family of Asteraceae, legumes, cereals, buckwheat, euphorbia, cactus and borage. A number of communities characteristic of the main habitats make up the vegetation of the Sonoran Desert.

Vegetation grows on extensive, slightly sloping alluvial fans, the main components of which are groups of creosote bush and ragweed. They also include several types of prickly pear, quinoa, acacia, fukeria, or okotilo.

On the alluvial plains below the alluvial fans, the vegetation cover mainly consists of a sparse forest of mesquite trees. Their roots, penetrating into the depths, reach the groundwater, and the roots located in the surface layer of the soil, within a radius of up to twenty meters from the trunk, can intercept precipitation. An adult mesquite tree reaches a height of eighteen meters, and can be more than a meter wide. In modern times, only the pitiful remnants of the once majestic mesquite forests, long cut down for fuel, remain. The mesquite forest is very similar to the thickets of black saxaul in the Karakum Desert. The composition of the forest, in addition to the mesquite tree, includes clematis and acacia.

By the water, along the banks of the rivers, near the water, poplars are located, to which ash and Mexican elder are mixed. Plants such as acacia, creosote bush and celtis grow in the beds of the arroyo, drying up temporary streams, as well as on the adjacent plains. In the desert of Gran Desierto, near the coast of the Gulf of California, ambrosia and creosote bush predominate on sandy plains, and ephedra and tobosa, ragweed grow on sand dunes.

In the Arizona Uplands, northwest of the Sonoran Desert, the vegetation is especially colorful and varied. A denser vegetation cover and a variety of vegetation are due here to more precipitation than in other areas of Sonora, as well as the ruggedness of the relief, a combination of steep slopes of different exposures and hills. A kind of cactus forest, in which the main place is occupied by a giant columnar saguaro cactus, with an undersized encelia shrub located between the cacti, is formed on gravelly soils with a large amount of fine earth. Also among the vegetation there are large barrel-shaped ferocactus, ocotillo, paloverde, several species of prickly pear, acacia, celtis, creosote bush, as well as mesquite tree, in floodplains.

With a peculiar look, such trees and bushes of the Sonoran Desert as an ivory tree, an iron tree and an idriya, or buoyum, growing only in two areas of the Sonoran Desert, located in Mexico, which is part of such a region as Latin America, attract attention.

The Vizcaino area is located in the central third of the California Peninsula. Precipitation is scarce, but the air is cool, as moist sea breezes often bring fog, which weakens the aridity of the climate. Rain falls mainly in winter and averages less than 125 mm. Here in the flora there are some very unusual plants, bizarre landscapes are characteristic: fields of white granite boulders, cliffs of black lavas, etc. interesting plants- bujamy, elephant tree, 30 m high cordon, throttling ficus growing on rocks and blue palm. In contrast to the main Vizcaino Desert, the Vizcaino Coastal Plain is a flat, cool, foggy desert with 0.3 m high shrubs and fields of annuals.

Riverside communities are usually isolated bands or islands of deciduous forests along temporary streams. There are very few permanent or drying streams (the largest is the Colorado River), but there are many where water appears for only a couple of days or even a few hours a year. Dry channels, or "washes", arroyo - "arroyos" are places where many trees and shrubs are concentrated. Xerophilic light forests along dry channels are very variable. Near-pure mesquite forest occurs along some temporary streams, while others may be dominated by blue paloverde or ironwood, or a mixed forest develops. The so-called "desert willow" is characteristic, which is actually a catalpa.

Red, or red lynx is a predatory animal that lives in North America. To some, she may be known as the bobcat. Despite its modest size, the red lynx is the largest predatory cat in its habitats. For many years it has been a mystery to zoologists. It is not easy to see and track it, although the lynx is not afraid of a person. That is why any grain of information obtained about her is valuable.

general description

The bobcat is a relative of the common lynx, but at the same time it is half the size. Body length rarely reaches 90 cm, and weight ranges from 6 to 16 kg. Among individuals of this species, representatives with a weight of approximately 10 kg are most often found.

Its fur has a brown-red color with a lot of pigment (because of this, the red lynx is sometimes called red). Dark spots are scattered throughout the fur, helping the beast to disguise itself against the background of foliage and tall grass. In Florida, there are individuals with an exclusively black color. There are also known cases of albinism among lynxes. The tail is quite short relative to the body and is 15 cm long. It has a white mark on it, by which the bobcat can be distinguished from other related species.

The body of the red lynx is very strong and lean. The prey that has fallen into these developed paws no longer has a chance to get back, and the structure of the limbs allows the bobcat to jump 5 m long, overtaking the pursued target in two counts.

Spreading

The habitat of this animal is entirely located on the American continent, which is a rather atypical phenomenon. The red lynx settles in the USA, in the South and West of Canada, near the southern part of Mexico. Despite the rather extensive settlement, these cats are endangered due to uncontrolled extermination by humans.

Lifestyle

Bobcat preferences in choosing housing are quite diverse. The animal can settle both in arid areas and in marshy lowlands or forest thickets. Some individuals settle near human habitation and spend their whole lives among the cultural landscape (the conditions that people have created). Despite the fact that these animals have perfectly mastered climbing trees, they do not use them for permanent habitation, preferring to move up in case of danger or heat. They also rarely swim, preferring to do so only in the summer to cool off.

Although the red lynx occupies a dominant position in size, it is not the main predator of the continent and has natural enemies. These include the Canadian lynx, puma and jaguar, a meeting with which can end in death for the bobcat.

The basis of the diet of the red lynx is food of animal origin. She enjoys hunting rabbits, mice, porcupines and gophers. Sometimes a bobcat has enough strength to overcome a white-tailed deer or livestock but such cases are extremely rare. For prey, the red lynx advances with the onset of twilight. However, in northern latitudes there is less opportunity for it to obtain high-calorie food, so the bobcat uses any time of the day to hunt if potential food is nearby.

After eating, the animal prefers to rest. If there is something left of the meal, then she carefully hides the traces of a recent feast. Like some other types big cats, red lynx is able to hide food on tree branches.

For red lynx important task is the protection of the territory, for which males scratch trees and make marks with urine. One animal can occupy an area of ​​100 square kilometers, and this is far from the limit. Females occupy approximately 50 square meters. km and defend their possessions as fiercely as males. Several males can share the border territory and provide their habitat to 3 females. Animals use the smell of urine to indicate their readiness to mate.

reproduction

The breeding season begins with the first warm days of spring. Red lynx females carry the fetus for 53 days, after which a litter of several blind kittens is born. Babies begin to see clearly on the 7th-9th day, after which they feed on mother's milk for another 2 months. The milk of the female bobcat is very fatty and thick, it contains a high concentration of nutrients. Red lynxes treat kittens with care, constantly licking them. The female is always ready to take care of her offspring and, in case of danger, will transfer small predators to a new shelter.

Throughout the time, the male feeds all the females living in his territory. He will give them part of the prey, even if he himself is starving at the same time. This is a rather unique phenomenon that is rarely found among other representatives of the animal world. For some time, the female does not allow the male to approach the hole, preferring to take food in neutral territory. But when the kittens grow up a little and get stronger, the male is allowed to bring food directly to the shelter and leave the meat for the cubs to feed.

The upbringing of growing lynxes is an important element in the life of a female. When the cubs reach the age of a few months, she leaves the hole with them and begins to walk them on her own territory, teaching them the basics of hunting and protection from natural enemies. At about half a year, the kittens already go to their first prey, which takes place under the strict control of the mother. This develops their endurance, providing physical activity. Throughout the entire period of growing up, kittens play with each other, which is also an important part of their physical development.

Hunting

The red lynx does not hunt in a pack, preferring to do this business alone. An interesting feature bobcat and other lynxes is that they can ambush and lie in wait for an unsuspecting victim. The lynx always kills prey in the same way: first it gnaws through the carotid artery and then breaks its neck. The spontaneity of the attack allows her to prey on animals that are much larger than her size.

Endangered

The skin of a red lynx is a valuable trophy, for which several thousand dollars are given on the black market. And the secrecy of the lynx and its fearlessness in front of a person only adds excitement to poachers. Another reason this species is hunted is the bobcat damage to farms. They attack birds and small animals, which is why farmers at the first opportunity try to eliminate the animal that has become accustomed to visit their lands.

On this moment the red lynx is listed in the Red Book as a species that is threatened with complete extermination. Attempts are being made to restore the bobcat population and breed the individuals available in zoos, but so far these actions have not brought much result.

1. The lynx develops the same speed in the water as a person, and can also dive for a short time.
2. At an early age, the red lynx lends itself well to training and taming, so the kitten has every chance of becoming a full-fledged pet, which is kept outside the cage.
3. The average life expectancy of a bobcat in nature is 18 years, in captivity - 30 years.
4. Individuals of the red lynx living in the northern latitudes (for example, in Canada) are noticeably larger than their southern counterparts.
5. In the first year of growing up, kittens gain an average of 25 grams of weight per day.
6. While jumping and walking, the red lynx puts its hind legs exactly in the place where its forelimbs were located a second ago. Despite the opportunity to develop high speeds movement, the lynx will not be able to pursue prey for a long time. If it was not possible to grab the victim in the first 30 seconds, then she will most likely leave her alone.

Video: red lynx (Lynx rufus)

Define your totem. Full description magical properties of animals, birds and reptiles Andrews Ted

Red Lynx

Red Lynx

Key property: silence and secrets

Activity period: end of winter and spring

The red lynx is sometimes called a wild cat. She has a short, as if clipped tail, tassels on her ears and sideburns. It is often confused with the gray lynx, which is much larger.

The red lynx loves loneliness, and people whose totem she is often follow her example. The red lynx teaches to stay alone without feeling lonely. Females of this animal, as a rule, live within a small territory, and males can lead a nomadic lifestyle, entering the territories of five or six females. The mating season of red lynxes falls at the end of winter, after which the couple breaks up.

Pay special attention to the tail of the bobcat. In general, the tail is symbolically associated with sexual energies. The tail or tip of the tail is the seat of the life force. The bobcat's tail tip is black and the underside of the tail is white. This reflects the ability to "turn on" and "turn off" the creative forces at will. These features also link the lynx to some form of sexual magic.

Operating under the cloak of darkness and mystery, the bobcat can teach you how to project and use life force silently and effectively. The magic of the red lynx is most effective when other people do not know about it. Talking about her dissipates her power. It is very important for people whose totem is this animal to know when, to whom and what to tell. Anyone associated with the red lynx should be especially careful in their communication. You may not be understood at all or misunderstood completely. What appears white to you may be mistaken for black by others, and vice versa.

If the red lynx has become your totem, you may also notice that friends often share their secrets with them. You should never betray their trust. This always leads to dire consequences and, as a rule, is quickly revealed.

The bobcat's sharp eyesight, sensitive sideburns and ear tassels make it an excellent night hunter. People interacting with the energies of the bobcat feel best at night. The tendency to nocturnal lifestyle is usually associated with the presence of psychic abilities.

The keen eyes of the bobcat allow these people to see what others are trying to hide or disguise. Sensitive sideburns endow them with the ability to psychometry: by bringing an object to their face, these people can perceive the energy imprints left on it. And the tassels on the ears represent the gift of clairaudience and the ability to hear what is left unspoken.

People who have a bobcat as their totem may find others uncomfortable around them. They will understand that you can see what they do not want to show you, and hear what they diligently keep silent about. These abilities can turn you into an excellent psychologist or an unsurpassed manipulator. If the red lynx has entered your life as a totem, start looking for what is hidden. Not everything in life is as it seems at first glance. Trust your own feelings. If you do not like something, do not doubt your conclusions - even if they are contrary to common sense.

The red lynx sees perfectly in the dark and has a keen ear. Often people associated with this totem prefer loneliness precisely because they hear, see and feel too many unpleasant things that concern the people around them. However, they should not live in complete seclusion. Meditations using the tarot card called "The Hermit" will tell you when to be alone and when to connect with people. This card will help you tune in to the energies of the bobcat.

The bobcat is still found throughout the United States, but the species is critically endangered. The red-haired lynx arranges its dwellings under rocky ledges and in stone mounds. You should also keep in mind the symbolic meaning of such a habitat. (Refer to Chapter 5 of this book.) The bobcat is not very fast, but it can jump two to two and a half meters. The basis of its diet is rabbits and woodchucks, so these animals should also be studied in order to fully understand the magic of the bobcat.

Red lynx cubs are born in spring, there can be up to four lynxes in a litter. Their mother starts training early, and by the age of seven months, young lynxes are able to hunt on their own, and at about nine months of age they leave the family and go in search of their own territory.

People in whose lives a red lynx appeared as a totem will have to go through some new course learning (formal or informal). In any case, in seven to ten months you will be able to do everything you need. People associated with the red lynx as a totem animal usually learn quickly and thoroughly. If you are a parent, and your totem is a red lynx, then you should start teaching your children as early as possible. In the question of how best to do this, rely on your intuition. Then your children will grow up strong and independent.

If a red lynx has appeared in your life, then ask yourself the following important questions. Have you become a recluse? Do you feel the need to acquire new knowledge and skills? Are you being too reckless? Have you stopped trusting your intuition? Do you allow other people to mislead you? When a bobcat is around, it will teach you that true power comes from silence.