24.10.2019
American lynx. Red lynx: description, lifestyle and habitat. Economic importance for humans
The red lynx is a medium sized species wild cats, which are common found in various habitats throughout the southern half North America. They are widespread and highly adaptable predators that are closely related to the larger species of the northern Canadian lynx, with the difference that the red lynx has only a small "clipped" tail, while the lynx has a longer and fuller tail. Measuring twice the size of a domestic cat, the bobcat has the widest range of any North American feline, but their secretive nature means they are rarely seen by humans. There are currently twelve recognized subspecies of the red lynx, which vary in their coloration and geographic range: individuals found in the mountain forest are darker than their lighter cousins that inhabit more arid, semi-arid regions.
Anatomy and appearance
Due to the fact that the red lynx belongs to the same family as the lynx, they are similar in appearance, but not in all. The red lynx is smaller and has smaller legs and ear tufts than Canadian lynx, and is often darker in color. The red lynx has beige, brown or reddish fur, variegated or mottled, with the intensity of these markings depending on the individual and the place where it lives (those that live in more open, drier areas tend to be less brightly colored than those in that live in shady and damp places). The underside of the bobcat's body is white, so the dark spots on it are more distinctive, and they also have the white tip of their short, black tails, which only grow about 15 cm long. As the lynx grows larger, it develops ear tufts that serve to improve their hearing, along with a lush edging of fur around their muzzles as well.
Distribution and habitat
The red lynx is one of the most widely distributed of all North American felines and is found in North America from southern Canada all the way to southern Mexico. They are incredibly versatile animals that have adapted to living in a variety of habitats throughout all three different countries. Although bobcats are known to prefer rocky slopes that are well vegetated, they are found in numerous habitats throughout their natural range, including montane forests, coniferous forest, swamp, desert and even suburban areas in some places. The exact appearance of the red lynx depends on what type of habitat, depending on the different colors, allows the individual to remain camouflaged in the surroundings. The historical range of the red lynx applies to all of North America, but hunting them for their fur and losing them natural environment habitats have led to their extinction in some areas.
Behavior and lifestyle 
The red lynx is a solitary and nocturnal animal that is most active in the dark of night, tending to hunt most during dawn and dusk. During the day, red lynxes sleep and rest in dens in the form of rock crevices or tree hollows. One individual usually has several lairs in the range of its territory. Red bobcats are very territorial and mark their ranges with the smell of their urine and feces, as well as distinctive claw marks on trees to alert others to their presence. Males patrol a large range of their territory, which is often overlapped by a number of smaller female territories, but the two sexes will not interact until the breeding season, which begins in winter period. At other times of the year, Red Eyes tend to avoid each other to reduce their risk of injury in combat.
Life cycles and reproduction
Red bobcats are only found together during the breeding season, when both males and females may mate with multiple partners. After a gestation period that lasts for 8 to 10 weeks, the female bobcat gives birth to a litter of up to 6 kittens in a safe and secluded den. Red bobcat kittens are born blind and open their eyes after about 10 days, feeding on their mother's milk until they are old enough to start consuming meat. Most births occur in late winter or in early spring. Kittens usually do not stay with their mother until next winter and leave when they are about eight months old and learn how to hunt on their own. Female bobcats tend to have one litter each year, and once mated, the male plays no role in raising the young.
Diet
The red bobcat is a carnivorous feline, which means it hunts and eats other animals to get the nutrients it needs to survive. The red lynx mainly preys on small mammals such as rabbits, hares and mice, along with birds and sometimes lizards. During the harsh winter months, they also hunt large animals, including deer, and also feed on carrion. The red lynx is an incredibly elusive predator that silently stalks its prey in the dark before pouncing on it with incredible force. Despite their size, bobcats are known to be able to kill animals that are significantly larger than themselves. IN populated areas bordering their natural habitat, red lynxes also occasionally attack livestock such as birds and sheep.
Predators and threats
The red lynx is a fierce and dominant predator in its natural habitat. Therefore, adult red lynxes are threatened by few animals, these include cougars and wolves. Small kittens and vulnerable bobcats, however, can become prey to coyotes and owls, which are able to prey on kittens while the mother is out hunting. The biggest threat to red bobcat populations across North America is people who used to hunt red bobcats for their soft fur and have nearly wiped them out in some areas. In areas where red lynxes are now forced to share their natural ranges with a growing number of people, they have also been hunted by farmers who fear for their livestock. Despite being highly adaptable animals, bobcats are also threatened by habitat loss, with populations being pushed into smaller and more isolated regions of their once vast natural range.
Titles: red lynx, red lynx.
area: southern North America (Canada to central Mexico, east to west coast of the United States).
Description: red lynx - is the most common wild cat on the North American continent. This is a typical small lynx, it has not too long legs and wide paws. There is no hair on the paws, the claws are retractable. Ear tufts are small. The fur is not too fluffy and warm, like the European lynx. Dental formula: I3/3, C1/1, P2/3, M1/1 x 2 = 30 teeth.
Color: reddish-brown with a gray tint, numerous dark spots are scattered over the skin. On inside the tip of the tail has a white mark. The general color of the subspecies is different: lynxes living in the south have more black marks, while northern ones have fewer. There are completely black and white individuals.
Size: body length with tail 76-127 cm, height at withers 45-58 cm.
Weight: males 9-13 kg, females 5.5-9 kg
Lifespan: in nature up to 20 years, in captivity up to 30 years.
Habitat: varied - from swamps to rocky snowy areas, desert plains and canyons. Avoids too wet or dry areas.
Enemies: jaguar, puma, Canada lynx, coyote and wolf. Red lynx kittens are preyed upon by foxes and owls.
Food: the basis of the diet of the lynx is small rodents (voles, squirrels, mice, rats, ground squirrels, porcupines), hares (hares, rabbits) and birds. Additionally catches snakes, bats and insects. In times of famine, it can also attack young ungulates, eat carrion and steal carcasses from hunting traps. Occasionally eats plant foods (fruits).
Behavior: leads an earthly twilight lifestyle. It hunts in the evening and early in the morning. In winter, it also occurs during daylight hours.
The bobcat has favorite places to rest and trails that it constantly uses. It climbs trees well, but climbs them only in search of food and shelter.
Able to jump over high barriers. 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.
While walking, the red lynx places its hind legs exactly in the tracks left by the front legs. Soft pads on the legs help to quietly sneak up on prey at close range.
social structure: outside the breeding season, the red lynx leads a solitary lifestyle.
It marks the boundaries of its hunting area with urine, feces and the secret of the skin glands. Leaves scratches on tree trunks with claws. The size of the plot depends on the amount of food available.
reproduction: a female can have up to two broods per year (in spring and late summer).
The female arranges a den for kittens in caves, heaps of stones or in the voids of trees. There is evidence that both parents are involved in raising offspring.
Season/breeding period: February-June.
Puberty: females per year, males at two years.
Pregnancy A: 50-70 days.
Offspring: up to 6 blind kittens in a litter (usually 2-4). The weight of newborns is up to 340 g. On the 10th day, the eyes open. Lactation lasts up to 8 weeks. Kittens gain weight by 25 g per day. From 3 to 5 months, kittens go hunting with their mother. At the age of 9 months, they are completely independent and acquire their own hunting ground.
Benefit / harm to humans: The bobcat causes damage by preying on domestic animals (sheep and birds). Because of this, local farmers kill them.
Fur is in demand and has commercial value.
Population/conservation status: The current population size is 725,000 - 1,000,000 mature individuals. The approximate area of the range is more than 2,500,000 km 2. The species is listed in the CITES Convention (Appendix II).
There are 2 subspecies Felis Rufus : F. r. Baileyi- Northwestern Mexico, F. r. californicus- California, F. r. escuinapae- Mexico, F. r. fasciatus- Pacific Northwest coast of the USA and Canada, F. r. floridanus- Southeastern United States, F. r. giga- northeast USA, Canada, F. r. oaxacensis- Southern Mexico, F. r. pallescens- northwest USA, Canada, F. r. peninsularis- peninsula Baja (Mexico), F. r. Rufus- Northeast USA F. r. superiorensis - big lakes in the north of the USA F. r. texensis- Texas, northwestern Mexico.
Copyright holder: portal Zooclub
When reprinting this article, an active link to the source is MANDATORY, otherwise, the use of the article will be considered a violation of the "Law on Copyright and Related Rights".
Order - Carnivora / Suborder - Feline / Family - Feline / Subfamily - Small cats
History of study
Red Lynx, or red lynx (lat. Lynx rufus) - a species of lynx native to North America.
Spreading
The bobcat is found from the extreme south of Canada to central Mexico and from the east to west coast of the United States.
Appearance
Outwardly, it is a typical lynx, but smaller, half the size of an ordinary lynx, not as long-legged and broad-legged, since it does not need to walk in deep snow, but shorter-tailed. The length of her body is 60-80 cm, the height at the withers is 30-35 cm, the weight is 6-11 kg.
The general tone of the color is reddish-brown with a gray tint. Unlike true 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.
reproduction
It breeds from February to June; kittens appear after 50 days of pregnancy. There are 1-6 kittens in a litter. Females become sexually mature at 12 months, males at 24 months.
Lifestyle
The bobcat's habitat is varied, from swamps to rocky snowy areas, desert plains and canyons. Avoids too wet or dry areas.
Leads an earthly twilight lifestyle. It hunts in the evening and early in the morning. In winter, it also occurs during daylight hours. The bobcat has favorite places to rest and trails that it constantly uses. It climbs trees well, but climbs them only in search of food and shelter. Able to jump over high barriers. 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. While walking, the red lynx places its hind legs exactly in the tracks left by the front legs. Soft pads on the legs help to quietly sneak up on prey at close range.
Outside of the breeding season, the bobcat is solitary. It marks the boundaries of its hunting area with urine, feces and the secret of the skin glands. Leaves scratches on tree trunks with claws. The size of the plot depends on the amount of food available.
Nutrition
The basis of the diet of the lynx is made up of small rodents (voles, squirrels, mice, rats, ground squirrels, porcupines), hares (hares, rabbits) and birds. Additionally, catching snakes bats and insects. In times of famine, it can also attack young ungulates, eat carrion and steal carcasses from hunting traps. Occasionally eats plant foods (fruits).
population
At present, the population size is 725,000 - 1,000,000 mature individuals. The approximate area of the range is more than 2,500,000 km2. The species is listed in the CITES Convention (Appendix II).
Red lynx and man
The bobcat causes damage by preying on domestic animals (sheep and birds). Because of this, local farmers kill them. Fur is in demand and has commercial value.
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.
Most representatives of the cuckoo suborder keep in the crowns of trees and shrubs, fly well, and this species lives on the ground. Thanks to the peculiar body composition and long legs, the cuckoo moves completely like a chicken. On the run, she stretches her neck somewhat, slightly opens her wings and raises her crest. Only when necessary, the bird takes off into the trees or flies over short distances.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.
The California ground cuckoo has evolved an unusual, energy-saving way to spend cold nights in the desert. At this time of day, her body temperature drops and she falls into a kind of immobile hibernation. On her back there are dark patches of skin that are not covered with feathers. In the morning, she spreads her feathers and exposes these areas of the skin to the sun, due to which the body temperature quickly returns to normal levels.
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. This bird received its English name Road Runner (road runner) because it used to run after mail coaches and grab small animals disturbed by their wheels.
The earthen cuckoo fearlessly appears where other inhabitants of the desert are reluctant to penetrate - into the possession of rattlesnakes, since these poisonous reptiles, especially young ones, serve as prey for birds. The cuckoo usually attacks the snake, trying to hit it with a powerful long beak in the head. At the same time, the bird constantly bounces, evading the enemy's throws. Earthen cuckoos are monogamous: a pair is formed for the period of hatching, and both parents incubate the clutch and feed the cuckoos. Birds build a nest from twigs and dry grass in bushes or thickets of cacti. There are 3-9 white eggs in a clutch. Cuckoo chicks are fed exclusively with reptiles.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" geographical names: Death Valley, Burial Range, Last Chance Ridge, Coffin Canyon, Dead Man's Pass, Hell's Gate, Gorge Rattlesnake and etc.
Death Valley is surrounded by mountains on all sides. This is a seismically active region, the surface of which is shifting along fault lines. Huge blocks earth's surface move in the process of underground earthquakes, the mountains become higher, and the valley goes lower in relation to sea level. On the other hand, erosion is constantly occurring - the destruction of mountains as a result of the influence of natural forces. Small and large stones, minerals, sand, salts and clay washed off the surface of the mountains fill the valley (now the level of these ancient layers is about 2,750 m). However, the intensity of geological processes far exceeds the force of erosion, therefore, in the next million years, the tendency of "growth" of mountains and lowering of the valley will continue.
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 area 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.
On a vast stretch of the valley, located below the level of the World Ocean, and once the bottom of a prehistoric lake, one can observe amazing behavior salt deposits. This area is divided into two different zones, differing in texture and shape of salt crystals. In the first case, salt crystals grow upwards, forming bizarre pointed heaps and labyrinths 30-70 cm high. They form an interesting foreground with their randomness, well emphasized by the rays of the low sun in the morning and evening hours. Sharp as knives, growing crystals on a hot day emit an ominous, unlike anything crack. This section of the valley is quite difficult to navigate, but it is better not to spoil this beauty.
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.
In the southern part of Death Valley there is a flat, flat clay plain - the bottom of the dried-up lake Racetrack Playa - called the Valley of Moving Stones (Racetrack Playa). According to the very phenomenon found in this area - "self-propelled" stones.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.
In 1933, Death Valley was declared a national monument, and in 1994 it received the status of a National Park and the park was expanded to include another 500,000 hectares of land.
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.
There are many picturesque places here, especially on the slopes adjacent to the desert plain: the extinct Ubehebe volcano, the Titus canyon is deep. 300 m and a length of 20 km; small lake with salt water in which a small shrimp lives; in the desert 22 species unique plants, 17 species of lizards and 20 species of snakes. The park has a unique landscape. This is an unusual wild beautiful nature, graceful rock formations, snow-capped mountain peaks, scorching salty plateaus, shallow canyons, hills covered with millions of delicate flowers.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 of 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 also feed on 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.
Nosoha live both in groups and alone. In groups of 5-6 individuals, sometimes their number reaches 40. In groups there are only females and young males. Adult males live alone. The reason for this is their aggressive attitude towards babies. They are expelled from the group and only return to mate.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.
As soon as the young males are two years old, they leave the group and continue to lead a solitary lifestyle, the females remain in 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.
Although the bobcat is a good tree climber, it only climbs trees for food and shelter. It hunts at dusk, only young animals go hunting during the day.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 look for meetings is the 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 alluvial plains below alluvial fans, the vegetation cover mainly consists of 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, ambrosia grow on sand dunes.
Trees grow here only on large dry channels. In the mountains, cacti and xerophilic shrubs are mainly developed, but the cover is very rare. Saguaro is quite rare (and completely absent in California) and its distribution here is again limited to channels. Annuals (mainly winter ones) make up almost half of the flora, and in the driest areas up to 90% species composition: they appear in huge numbers only in wet years.
In the Arizona Uplands, northwest of the Sonoran Desert, the vegetation is particularly 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.
District Magdalena located south of Vizcaino on the California Peninsula and appearance resembles Vizcaino, but the flora is slightly different. Most of the meager rainfall occurs in the summer, when the Pacific breeze blows off the sea. The only noticeable plant on the pale Magdalena Plain is the creeping devil cactus (Stenocereus eruca), but away from the coast on the rocky slopes the vegetation is quite dense and consists of trees, shrubs and cacti.
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.
How to find out
Ordinary lynxes and red lynxes are not much different from each other, being a variety of small cats that live in North America. On average, they reach one meter in length (3 feet). Both have short tails, stocky bodies, and are well adapted to survive in harsh environments.
The bobcat is easily identified by its short tail and spotted coat. In winter, it can often be seen hunting during the daytime.
At first glance, it is difficult to distinguish between an ordinary lynx and a red lynx. But, looking more closely, you can see that the red lynx has more spotted skin. This gives her the opportunity to remain unnoticed in the dense vegetation of the rocky terrain, where she prefers to settle.
The lynx differs from other felines in that it has a very short tail, but otherwise it is a typical cat with huge paws and very sharp claws. In addition, her hearing is extremely developed, and the tips of her sharp ears are crowned with beautiful tufts of long hair.
The skin of a lynx, covered with thick, short gray-brown fur, helps it to camouflage well against the background of mosses and lichens. In different places where lynxes live, the color of their fur is also different. She changes into a wide range- from smooth without spots, to densely spotted.
Where does it live
Lynxes are commonly found in North America and in forests. northern Europe where winters can be harsh. The lynx can live in temperatures down to 57°C (70°F). It moves easily in deep snow. Even her relatively short tail, as if chopped off at the end, helps her adapt to the cold.
The bobcat lives in mountains and subtropical wetlands, on bare mountain slopes, among cacti on desert plains, but also in the cultural landscape and even in the vicinity of large cities.
As for the red lynx, it lives further south. In addition to North America, lynxes also live in sparsely populated areas of Europe, from Spain to Scandinavia, and also as far as Eastern Siberia.
Lifestyle
The lynx can silently move through the forest, chasing its favorite prey - the hare. The lynx is able to detect small animals even under a layer of snow or hear and see them in total darkness. The prey of the red lynx is the American wild rabbit. When hunting for him, she relies more on sight than on hearing.
It feeds mainly on voles, squirrels, and other rodents, but occasionally attacks wild turkeys, domestic chickens, and even white-tailed deer and sheep.
The red lynx is able to detect small mammals even under the snow, where they hid in burrows. The lynx unmistakably finds its victims by barely audible sounds coming from under the snow. The number of red lynx and hares is always dependent on each other. When there are a lot of hares, then the lynx breeds well. As the number of hares decreases, so does the number of lynxes.
The fertility and reproduction of lynxes are determined and directly dependent on the abundance of food. When there are many rabbits, the lynx does not have to go far in search of prey. However, when there are not enough rabbits, the lynx can sometimes get into fights with other lynxes for food.
The breeding season is not confined to a strictly defined season, but mating usually occurs in the spring. Some females can bring 2 broods per year. The gestation period for a red lynx is only 50 days. There are usually 2, but sometimes 4 kittens in a litter.
Females are content with smaller territories than males. The male can occupy a territory that is three times larger than the habitat of two or even three females. Rival males rarely face each other. Their domains are marked with strong-smelling excrement and other secrets.
Their favorite hunting trails are also littered with marks they make with urine. These marks serve as signals to other bobcats to stay away.
