Eurasian Lynxes – Riverview Park and Zoo

Meet our Eurasian Lynxes, Hazard and Hudson. Relatively new to the Park and Zoo, Hazard and Hudson are just getting to know each other. Both lynxes have been educational ambassadors in Ontario, with Hazard coming to Riverview from Little Ray’s Nature Centre and Hudson joining us from Earth Rangers. 

Eurasian lynx are a medium-size wild cat, but are the largest species of the lynx genus. They are typically 80 to 130 cm in length, 60 to 75 cm in height, and can weigh 18 to 40 kg. As a predatory species, they can reach top speeds of up to 80 kph.

Eurasian lynx live in many different ranges of habitats in Europe, Russia and Asia. Their natural habitat includes boreal forests to rocky, bushy areas. Their coats vary in colour based on their geographic location. In more northern regions their fur is typically grey and white and are lightly spotted. In more southern regions coats are deeper red and brown, and are usually more heavily spotted. Their coats are double-layered to keep them warm in cold weather. 

Lynx are crepuscular which means that they are typically more active at dawn and dusk and sleep throughout the day. Exceptional climbers, lynx will use tall trees or large rocks to watch for prey, pouncing on and ambushing them. Lynx are generally a solitary animal; however, during mating season, males and females will overlap territories.

Currently Eurasian lynx numbers are estimated to range from 9,000 – 10,000 in Europe, over 22,000 in Russia and over 30,0000 in Asia. Threats to this species in the natural world include habitat loss due to deforestation, illegal hunting and trapping.

Visit our website to learn more or to book your reservation:
www.riverviewparkandzoo.ca