# Lynx — Facts, Threats & Conservation

*Lynx lynx (Linnaeus, 1758)*

> The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is Europe's largest wild cat, listed as Least Concern by the IUCN; it inhabits boreal and temperate forests across Eurasia and has recovered in several western European countries after decades of persecution.

**IUCN status:** Least Concern (IUCN, 2014)  ·  **WARN range:** Northern Europe, Russia, Central Asia, Himalayas, Scandinavia

## Quick facts
| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Weight | 18–30 kg (Eurasian lynx) |
| Prey | Mainly roe deer; also hares and grouse |
| Distinctive features | Tufted ears, short tail, large paws |
| Activity | Mainly crepuscular and nocturnal |
| Lifespan | Up to ~17 years in the wild |
| CITES | Appendix II |

## Scientific classification
- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Carnivora
- **Family:** Felidae
- **Genus:** Lynx
- **Species:** Lynx lynx (Linnaeus, 1758)

## Conservation status
- **Status:** Least Concern globally (IUCN, 2014). Iberian lynx (separate species) was Critically Endangered but is recovering.
- **Population:** Roughly 50,000 Eurasian lynx; Iberian lynx exceeded 1,000 individuals by the 2020s after recovery efforts
- **Trend:** Stable or increasing in much of Eurasia
- **Assessed:** 2014
- **CITES:** Appendix II
- Iberian, Canada and bobcat are assessed as separate species.

## Key facts: Lynx
- The Eurasian lynx is the largest lynx species and Europe's biggest native cat.
- Tufted ears, short tail and large snowshoe-like paws are characteristic lynx features.
- Lynx hunt mainly roe deer, hares and other medium-sized prey by ambush.
- The species has recolonised Switzerland, Slovenia and parts of France and Germany.
- The Iberian lynx is Critically Endangered — a separate, much rarer species.
- Human persecution and road mortality remain threats despite legal protection in the EU.

## The four lynx species
Four lynx species survive today.

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is the largest and most widespread, ranging across Europe and Asia. The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is confined to Spain and Portugal and was Critically Endangered before intensive recovery efforts. The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) depends on snowshoe hare cycles in North American boreal forest. The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is the smallest and most adaptable, ranging across much of North America. All share tufted ear tips, a short tail, a ruff of fur beneath the chin and large paws — adaptations for silent hunting in forest and snow.

## Habitat and hunting
Eurasian lynx favour forested landscapes with sufficient cover and prey. Roe deer are the primary prey in much of Europe; in northern latitudes, lynx also take reindeer calves, hares and grouse.

They hunt by stealth, relying on short bursts of speed rather than long chases. Home ranges vary from roughly 100 km² for females to over 400 km² for males in prey-rich areas. Lynx are solitary except during breeding and when females raise kittens. Dens are often in rocky crevices or dense undergrowth; litters typically contain one to four kittens.

## Recovery in western Europe
Lynx were eradicated from most of western Europe by the nineteenth century through hunting and habitat loss. Legal protection, forest regrowth and reintroduction programmes have reversed the decline in several countries. Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia and the Carpathians now support breeding populations. France and Germany host small, expanding groups. Conflict with sheep farmers remains a political challenge; compensation schemes and livestock guarding dogs reduce retaliatory killing. Cross-border cooperation is essential because lynx ranges often span national frontiers.

## Conservation outlook
The IUCN lists the Eurasian lynx as Least Concern with an estimated 50,000 individuals and a stable or increasing trend in much of its range. Road mortality, habitat fragmentation and illegal killing still suppress populations in some regions. CITES Appendix II regulates international trade. The Iberian lynx recovery — from fewer than 100 individuals in 2002 to over 1,000 by the 2020s — demonstrates what targeted conservation can achieve for lynx. Maintaining connected forest habitat and reducing human conflict remain priorities across the genus.

## Related WARN guides
Lynx are cold-climate cats — read WARN's snow leopard guide for mountain specialists, bobcat and cougar pages for American relatives, and wolf guide for shared boreal habitat.

Deer and ibex guides cover prey species in lynx range.

Reintroduction success in Europe shows lynx can recover with connected forest.

## What WARN does
WARN publishes this lynx guide as free public education. Our field work focuses on threatened species in partner countries; the Eurasian lynx illustrates how large carnivores can recover when persecution ends and forests are protected.

If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.

## Frequently asked questions: Lynx
### How many lynx species are there?
Four: Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) and bobcat (Lynx rufus). The Eurasian lynx is the largest and most widespread.

### Are lynx dangerous to humans?
Lynx avoid people and attacks are extremely rare. They are secretive forest cats that retreat when encountered. Livestock depredation — mainly sheep — is the main human conflict issue.

### What do lynx eat?
Eurasian lynx feed mainly on roe deer, along with hares, grouse, reindeer calves and other medium-sized prey. They are obligate carnivores and hunt by ambush.

### Where do lynx live in Europe?
Breeding populations exist in Scandinavia, the Baltic states, the Carpathians, the Balkans, the Alps and parts of France and Germany. Lynx were reintroduced to several areas from which they had been extirpated.

### What is the difference between a lynx and a bobcat?
Eurasian lynx are larger (18–30 kg versus 6–13 kg for bobcats), with longer legs, bigger paws and a plainer coat. Bobcats are North American; Eurasian lynx inhabit Europe and Asia.

### Is the Iberian lynx the same species?
No. The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is a separate, much rarer species confined to Spain and Portugal. It was Critically Endangered but has recovered through captive breeding and habitat restoration.

## Sources
- [IUCN Red List — Lynx lynx](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12519/121707639)
- [IUCN Red List — Lynx pardinus (Iberian lynx)](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12520/174439755)
- [CITES — Checklist of CITES Species](https://checklist.cites.org/)

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Full guide: https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/lynx