Karah Bengs: Canada Lynx
Canada Lynx: Lynx Canadensis
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Summary
The Canada lynx or by its scientific name lynx Canadensis. This little lynx is a mysterious creature. While many facts are known about other lynx's in the family not as many facts are known about this specific lynx because it is a secretive animal that is well adept at staying out of view. So therefore as you continue to read through this blog you must take into consideration that some assumptions had to be made regarding the lynx. They were generalizations made based off the lynx's they have more information on.
The Canada lynx is a medium size cat, in the mammal family, on average between 30-35 inches in length. And varies from about 18-23 pounds. Some lynx have been documented in the wild at the age of 16. They are distinctive from their black tips on their ears, their big feet adapt for walking on snow, strong long legs adapt for jumping and running in the snow, and hunting their prey.
The Canada lynx's mating season is typically in March and April. The litters of kittens can then be born from anytime from late April to the beginning of June. They are born in dens primarily made of fallen and/ or old logs with good covering. The litters range from 1 to 6 kittens and survival of the kittens is dependent on their main food source the hare. When hare populations are high around 4 to 5 kittens are likely to reach adulthood. When hare populations are low however little to no mating takes place because they know that their kittens would not survive. Females provide all the care and teaching of the young. Males tend to stay by themselves until it is mating season. The young will then stay with their mothers until the next winter's hunting season. However, after they leave their mother's siblings may stay together for longer.
The lynx's diet is highly specialized more so in the winter than in the summer. The hare is their main prey and in the winter can possibly make up 75% of their diet. The rest of their diet is supplemented with dead animals. Then in the summer they have a little more variety which includes grouse, small mammals, birds and squirrels. Though they are primarily nocturnal creatures in some locations they also do some hunting during the day.
Geographic and Population Changes
The Canadian lynx ranges primarily in Canada and Alaska. However it does have smaller populations in the lower 48 states, it's populations have been documented in - Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Montana, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The lynx main prey is the hare so it is no surprise that their distribution greatly overlaps hare populations. (Click on the link to watch a video of the Lynx hunting). Lynx populations are directly related to hare populations. When hare populations are high lynx populations are much more successful especially in the lower 48. When the hare populations are low the populations in the lower 48 are much smaller, and will not always be found in some areas. The populations in the lower 48 are never as big as the populations in Alaska and Canada due to the fact that in the lower 48 the lynx do not have as much room to roam and have less suitable habitat. They have to be in areas like the Rookies, the Great Lakes, and North Cascade Mountains. Also the lynx in the lower 48 are not as connected to other groups like in Alaska and Canada. It is believed that all the populations originally come from populations in Canada, and that they should possibly thought of as subpopulations. Moreover periodic immigration from Canada may occur and help keep new genetics flowing through the populations. It can be concluded that in order for lynx survival we need to maintain a strong Canadian population. Their favorite habitat is in boreal forests, in the lower 48 states the boreal forests combine with temperate forests. Individual lynx occupy a large region of land so therefore the populations must have large boreal forest. They lynx will also be highly mobile and cover a great deal of land in search of new habitat, more prey, and just to go explore other areas outside their normal domain.
Population numbers and the habitat they are living in can be put into 3 areas- core, secondary, and peripheral. With core being where the largest and most constant populations are found. There are 6 core areas and one "provisional" core area (reintroduced) in the US. There are certain criteria to classify each area.
Core Area Criteria: The area needs to show historical and current presence, even despite the possible fluctuations of the hare populations. There needs to be evidence of reproduction. It needs to contain boreal forests that can support both lynx and hare. Finally the snow conditions of the area need to favor the competition of the lynx.
Secondary Area Criteria: The area has fewer and more sporadic historical and current sightings. There can be the possibility of reproduction. It is somewhat of a grey area; not entirely clear why the populations are less in these areas. It could be the habitat is broken up in more patches, or there might have been prey present but now possibly because of trapping or other reasons there is no more prey, and so the lynx left and has not yet tried to return to the area.
Peripheral Area Criteria: There have been few and spaced out historical sightings. Usually connected when the Canadian populations were extremely high. Finally, the habitat may be able to support lynx and hare populations but only for a limited amount of time.
Listing Date and Type of Listing
In 2000 it came to light that the lynx were starting to disappear in the lower 48 states. When inspected it became apparent that this was because of human activities. The main cause, as is the case with many, is habitat destruction and fragmentation. The lynx now mainly live in national or state parks with a few living on privately owned land. In the past the lynx's numbers ran low because of the intensive trapping that was done. However today it is a different story. The land in the 48 states where the lynx is found is mostly public land this means that recreational activities and logging may take place which can destroy essential den locations the females need to birth but also raise their young. Another problem that can arise is the logging can interfere with their travel patterns because they like to travel in covered areas. Fragmentation is also a big problem. Roads can break a lynx's normal hunting or traveling zone, allow new predators or competitors into their own zone, and of coarse cause mortality because of motor vehicles. Climate change is also an issue the lynx is facing because it is forcing them into higher latitudes, and therefore shrinking it's range. A hare population may be present in the area but if all the other conditions are not ideal for the lynx they have no choice but to look for a new habitat.
Recovery Plan
In 2000 the Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management signed a 4 year plan to conserve and protect the lynx. It's habitat has been documented and has been sectioned off into different conservation areas. It has also been decided that they need to make sure hare populations stay stable in the areas because of how closely they are related. In Colorado more recovery efforts are taking place trying to reintroduce and reestablish the lynx populations in the Rocky mountain area. Also Washington has taken on more recovery plans to help the lynx in their areas.
The recovery plan is as follows. Currently the lynx is ranked 15 on a scale of 1- 18 with one being a high level of threat, and 18 being the lowest level of threat but still enough to be threatened. 15 is good it means they have a good chance to recover, and if all the steps are carried out the lynx can be delisted. The recovery will be considered successful when lynx populations are documented long-term in all the designated core areas. There are four main objectives. The first objective is that we need to keep good solid habitat to support long term lynx populations in all the marked core areas. The second objective is to keep corridors, and the habitat involved with the migration of lynx long term available. This will allow for movement between core areas and surrounding populations. The third objective is to keep habitat that falls under the secondary area classification open for lynx populations. The fourth and final objective is to make sure that the threats addressed are all completed so that the lynx will be in the US for at least the next hundred years.
There are seven key steps to achieve species recovery. The first step is to establish strong management policies and regulations to ensure both quality and quantity of habitat in core areas lasts. On Federal land that means making sure strict management rules for the lynx are followed. The second step is to keep data on the lynx populations in each core area. Keeping a close eye on the habitat distribution is key. The third step is to monitor lynx to keep an eye on occupancy of the different core areas. The fourth step in to watch the habitat that is used for lynx movement between populations. Create long term agreements between Canada, the US, and private landowners to conserve these habitats. Then continue to survey the lynx populations in Canada to make sure their numbers are stable. The fifth step is to protect the habitat in the classified secondary areas so that it remains open for lynx populations. To do this make frequent surveys of land to make sure that good habitat does not go undocumented. Watch the areas and determine how important these areas are to the lynx and their survival based on the data make appropriate changes to the approach. Conduct yearly surveys of lynx sightings in the areas, watch and record distribution and movement. The sixth step is to identify more specific limiting factors for the lynx living in the lower 48. Continue studies to gather more information. Address factors like forest timber cutting, roads, trapping, and hunting to ensure long term lynx populations. Watch for new possible competition in the areas from species like the bobcat. Watch for possible inter-species breeding between the lynx and bobcat. Finally, monitor the effects of climate change on the boreal forest habitat. The seventh and final step is to create a post delisting plan to monitor the lynx when it has been delisted to ensure that its populations stay stable for years to come after delisting.
What Can You Do
Take Action by Joining Different Groups
- To protect their land
- Protect key linkage areas that are and could become even more critical for their migration that might result as of future climate change
- To get involved and/ or volunteer
- Donate to different groups involved in protecting them
Symbolically adopt a Canadian Lynx
- receive an official adoption certificate
Stay up to date with what is happening with your public lands
- New measures or actions that might be coming up that you can vote on
- Timber harvesting practices in your area
- Restore their original habitat
Other Resources
If you have fallen in love with these mysterious creature like I have you can check out these great sites to find out more about them and the dangers they are facing. Click the links below to go to the different pages. If we don't care who will?The Canada lynx or by its scientific name lynx Canadensis. This little lynx is a mysterious creature. While many facts are known about other lynx's in the family not as many facts are known about this specific lynx because it is a secretive animal that is well adept at staying out of view. So therefore as you continue to read through this blog you must take into consideration that some assumptions had to be made regarding the lynx. They were generalizations made based off the lynx's they have more information on.
The Canada lynx is a medium size cat, in the mammal family, on average between 30-35 inches in length. And varies from about 18-23 pounds. Some lynx have been documented in the wild at the age of 16. They are distinctive from their black tips on their ears, their big feet adapt for walking on snow, strong long legs adapt for jumping and running in the snow, and hunting their prey.
The Canada lynx's mating season is typically in March and April. The litters of kittens can then be born from anytime from late April to the beginning of June. They are born in dens primarily made of fallen and/ or old logs with good covering. The litters range from 1 to 6 kittens and survival of the kittens is dependent on their main food source the hare. When hare populations are high around 4 to 5 kittens are likely to reach adulthood. When hare populations are low however little to no mating takes place because they know that their kittens would not survive. Females provide all the care and teaching of the young. Males tend to stay by themselves until it is mating season. The young will then stay with their mothers until the next winter's hunting season. However, after they leave their mother's siblings may stay together for longer.
The lynx's diet is highly specialized more so in the winter than in the summer. The hare is their main prey and in the winter can possibly make up 75% of their diet. The rest of their diet is supplemented with dead animals. Then in the summer they have a little more variety which includes grouse, small mammals, birds and squirrels. Though they are primarily nocturnal creatures in some locations they also do some hunting during the day.
Geographic and Population Changes
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| Picture (2) of lynx population |
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| Picture (3) of boreal forests |
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| Picture 4 |
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| Picture 5 |
Core Area Criteria: The area needs to show historical and current presence, even despite the possible fluctuations of the hare populations. There needs to be evidence of reproduction. It needs to contain boreal forests that can support both lynx and hare. Finally the snow conditions of the area need to favor the competition of the lynx.
Secondary Area Criteria: The area has fewer and more sporadic historical and current sightings. There can be the possibility of reproduction. It is somewhat of a grey area; not entirely clear why the populations are less in these areas. It could be the habitat is broken up in more patches, or there might have been prey present but now possibly because of trapping or other reasons there is no more prey, and so the lynx left and has not yet tried to return to the area.
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| Picture 6 |
Listing Date and Type of Listing
Listing: Threatened
Date Listed: March 24, 2000
Cause of Listing and Main ThreatsIn 2000 it came to light that the lynx were starting to disappear in the lower 48 states. When inspected it became apparent that this was because of human activities. The main cause, as is the case with many, is habitat destruction and fragmentation. The lynx now mainly live in national or state parks with a few living on privately owned land. In the past the lynx's numbers ran low because of the intensive trapping that was done. However today it is a different story. The land in the 48 states where the lynx is found is mostly public land this means that recreational activities and logging may take place which can destroy essential den locations the females need to birth but also raise their young. Another problem that can arise is the logging can interfere with their travel patterns because they like to travel in covered areas. Fragmentation is also a big problem. Roads can break a lynx's normal hunting or traveling zone, allow new predators or competitors into their own zone, and of coarse cause mortality because of motor vehicles. Climate change is also an issue the lynx is facing because it is forcing them into higher latitudes, and therefore shrinking it's range. A hare population may be present in the area but if all the other conditions are not ideal for the lynx they have no choice but to look for a new habitat.
Recovery Plan
In 2000 the Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management signed a 4 year plan to conserve and protect the lynx. It's habitat has been documented and has been sectioned off into different conservation areas. It has also been decided that they need to make sure hare populations stay stable in the areas because of how closely they are related. In Colorado more recovery efforts are taking place trying to reintroduce and reestablish the lynx populations in the Rocky mountain area. Also Washington has taken on more recovery plans to help the lynx in their areas.
The recovery plan is as follows. Currently the lynx is ranked 15 on a scale of 1- 18 with one being a high level of threat, and 18 being the lowest level of threat but still enough to be threatened. 15 is good it means they have a good chance to recover, and if all the steps are carried out the lynx can be delisted. The recovery will be considered successful when lynx populations are documented long-term in all the designated core areas. There are four main objectives. The first objective is that we need to keep good solid habitat to support long term lynx populations in all the marked core areas. The second objective is to keep corridors, and the habitat involved with the migration of lynx long term available. This will allow for movement between core areas and surrounding populations. The third objective is to keep habitat that falls under the secondary area classification open for lynx populations. The fourth and final objective is to make sure that the threats addressed are all completed so that the lynx will be in the US for at least the next hundred years.
There are seven key steps to achieve species recovery. The first step is to establish strong management policies and regulations to ensure both quality and quantity of habitat in core areas lasts. On Federal land that means making sure strict management rules for the lynx are followed. The second step is to keep data on the lynx populations in each core area. Keeping a close eye on the habitat distribution is key. The third step is to monitor lynx to keep an eye on occupancy of the different core areas. The fourth step in to watch the habitat that is used for lynx movement between populations. Create long term agreements between Canada, the US, and private landowners to conserve these habitats. Then continue to survey the lynx populations in Canada to make sure their numbers are stable. The fifth step is to protect the habitat in the classified secondary areas so that it remains open for lynx populations. To do this make frequent surveys of land to make sure that good habitat does not go undocumented. Watch the areas and determine how important these areas are to the lynx and their survival based on the data make appropriate changes to the approach. Conduct yearly surveys of lynx sightings in the areas, watch and record distribution and movement. The sixth step is to identify more specific limiting factors for the lynx living in the lower 48. Continue studies to gather more information. Address factors like forest timber cutting, roads, trapping, and hunting to ensure long term lynx populations. Watch for new possible competition in the areas from species like the bobcat. Watch for possible inter-species breeding between the lynx and bobcat. Finally, monitor the effects of climate change on the boreal forest habitat. The seventh and final step is to create a post delisting plan to monitor the lynx when it has been delisted to ensure that its populations stay stable for years to come after delisting.
What Can You Do
Take Action by Joining Different Groups
 |
| Picture 7 |
- Protect key linkage areas that are and could become even more critical for their migration that might result as of future climate change
- To get involved and/ or volunteer
- Donate to different groups involved in protecting them
Symbolically adopt a Canadian Lynx
- receive an official adoption certificate
Stay up to date with what is happening with your public lands
- New measures or actions that might be coming up that you can vote on
- Timber harvesting practices in your area
- Restore their original habitat
Other Resources
- Fish and Wildlife Service
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- Mother Nature Network
Works Cited
Pictures :
Picture #1: https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/washington-ramps-up-protections- endangered-lynx
Picture #2: http://www.nhptv.org/wild/canadalynx.asp
Picture #3: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/forests/boreal/13071
Picture #4: https://www.nwf.org/en/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Canada-Lynx
Picture #5: https://www.jeffwendorff.com/2015/01/canada-lynx-photography-workshop-images/
Picture #6: https://www.jeffwendorff.com/2015/01/canada-lynx-photography-workshop-images/
Picture #7: http://blog.nwf.org/2016/06/federation-unveils-new-logo/
Picture #8: https://www.jeffwendorff.com/2015/01/canada-lynx-photography-workshop-images/
Picture #9: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/349732727295877181/
Picture #10: https://www.jeffwendorff.com/2015/01/canada-lynx-photography-workshop-images/Picture #11: http://www.pomegranate.com/sc1508.html
* note the first picture does not have a link because I drew the picture myself
Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swiSMSWgbKE
National Wildlife Federation :
- https://www.nwf.org/en/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Canada-Lynx
- http://www.shopnwf.org/Adoption-Center/Adopt-a-Canada-Lynx/index.cat
Mother Nature Network : https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/washington-ramps-up-protections-endangered-lynx
Center for Biological Diversity : http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/mammals/Canada_lynx/index.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw7frPBRBVEiwAuDf_LfUF57BRYODCFsXEWs9rGJb8FDmfBGxCT2-kCCWgDkQRwEcEaoDCVRoCwh4QAvD_BwE
Wild Earth Guardians : http://www.wildearthguardians.org/site/PageServer?pagename=species_mammals_Canada_lynx&AddInterest=1103&gclid=CjwKCAjw7frPBRBVEiwAuDf_LSGLqvUWFkEg0FsQQQHiqEW0YwaL81qJU8saPnx_X1r-w4NH6HQ2yBoCbH4QAvD_BwE#.WgOdB1KZP6Z
The US Fish and Wildlife Service :
- https://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/es/canadaLynx.php
- https://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/es/species/mammals/lynx/final%20lynx%20RecoveryOutline9-05.pdf
- https://www.fws.gov/mainefieldoffice/Canada_lynx.html
- https://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/es/species/mammals/lynx/CandaLynxFactSheet_091613.pdf
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This is a very thorough recovery plan and it was very well written. The high dependence the lynx has on hares made me wonder if the hare population too is currently threatened or if they acquire the ability to survive in the habitats unsuitable for lynxes. You stated that most lynx are found on public land which exposes them to the dangers of logging and motor vehicles. This made me think about the topic of habitat corridors that we recently discussed in class. Could this be a viable solution for the lynx? By creating a corridor to redirect there typically hunting trial, we could prevent fatal accidents created by close proximities with roads. With the lynx only being classified as threatened and ranked at 15, there is still time to experiment with different solutions to see which will be the most successful.
ReplyDelete-Sarah Bach
The Canada Lynx is certainly an interesting creature, and it makes me glad that they have a high chance of recovery. I like the idea of a Lynx living on privately owned land, because I know that I would be very proud if a Lynx chose to live on my property. However I do recognize that habitat fragmentation is a huge issue for the Lynx and that they must be treated with utmost care and reverence. I liked your blog and thought it was well done. -Lucas Bartell
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very interesting and informative. I found it especially interesting how the lynx's diet changes between seasons, and that they have a more specialized diet during the winter. Well done! -Haley Baquian
ReplyDelete