Are Bobcats And Lynx The Same Animal

September 19, 2017

Lynx or Bobcat: Which Cat is That?

There'due south a lot of confusion virtually lynxes out there. For example, despite some rumors to the contrary, the technical term for their big paws is unfortunately not "huge floofers" (we wish information technology was!). Besides, you may have noticed that lynxes await very similar to bobcats. What'south the difference? Never fear! That's why we're here. Safari Ltd® has the low down on this whole lynx vs. bobcat business.

The short answer is that the bobcat IS a lynx…or rather, a type of lynx. Whatever cat in the "Lynx" genus is technically a lynx, but all species except the bobcat also include "lynx" in their common proper noun. The four species of lynx are the Eurasian lynx, the Canadian lynx, the Iberian lynx, and the bobcat. The type species, aka the "original" lynx is the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), but the one virtually probable to be dislocated with the bobcat (Lynx rufus) is the Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis), since their ranges overlap.

The Canadian lynx is establish in much of Canada and Alaska, every bit well as some parts of the northwestern Usa. The bobcat, meanwhile, tin be found in much of the United States and Mexico, but the uppermost office of its range spills into Canada, where information technology shares the habitat with its Canadian relative. As members of the same genus, they're quite similar. Both are medium-sized wild cats with shaggy coats and ears that are "tufted", significant each ear has a footling actress bit of fur at the tip.

So, you're traveling along the Canada/The states border and you meet a medium-sized shaggy wild cat… What is it? A lynx or a bobcat? Here's what to consider:

Canadian lynxes are, on boilerplate, larger than bobcats. However, big bobcats can be similarly sized to lynxes, and they tend to abound larger in the northern part of their range where the two species overlap. Additionally, unless you lot see them both at the same time, judging by size probably isn't going to exist very helpful.
The coat is a pretty big giveaway. Canadian lynxes take yellowish coats, sometimes with a grey back, more often than not lacking in markings. Their legs tin have stripes or spots, but this is ordinarily due to the way their fur moves on the leg, allowing the darker undercoat to show through. Bobcats, meanwhile, tend to have a brown coat with variable but highly visible spots, particularly on and around the legs.
The head and face up is some other tell. Both cats take tufted ears, but those of the Canadian lynx are longer than the bobcat's, and the lynx likewise tends to take a shaggier face up. The fur effectually its face, known as "ruff", is longer in the lynx, and tends to droop downward on either side. Bobcats have a similar ruff, but information technology doesn't droop about as much.
The way they walk is a expert indicator besides. Lynxes accept longer legs, especially their back legs. This brings their hips up higher than their shoulders when they walk. Bobcats have a much flatter back, since their legs are shorter and the forepart are only slightly shorter than the back legs. Bobcats too have smaller paws (or less huge, less floofy floofers, i might say).
Finally, even though the bobcat's name refers to its short "bob" of a tail, its tail is really longer than that of the lynx. The bobcat's tail is striped with a tip that'due south black higher up and white below, whereas the lynx's tail is unmarked except for its all black tip.

Hopefully this will help you out with your wild cat identification in the future. And always remember, if yous do see one of these creatures, treat them with the respect that they and all wild animals deserve: keep your distance, don't harass them, and let them go about their day in peace.

Bernie's Bonus Fun Fact: The big, fluffy feet of the lynx deed as snow shoes, helping them to come across snow easier as they chase prey. They're even furry on the bottoms of their feet!

Source: https://www.safariltd.com/blogs/toys-that-teach/lynx-or-bobcat-which-cat-is-that

Posted by: huttonandless00.blogspot.com