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Nature

Canadian Lynx

What is canadian lynx?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

Common name Canada lynx[1]
Scientific name Lynx canadensis[1]
Type Mammal[1]
Diet Carnivore[1]
Family Felidae[2]
Location Canada, Alaska, northern United States[1]

The Canada lynx is a medium-sized wild cat, scientifically named *Lynx canadensis*, that lives in the forests of Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States. It is a carnivore that primarily hunts snowshoe hares.

Context

The Canada lynx (*Lynx canadensis*) is a carnivorous wild cat that lives in forested areas across Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States [1]. It is a mammal in the Felidae family [2]. This cat is described as a forest-dwelling species of northern latitudes and high mountains [3]. Its habitat includes dense forests, rocky areas, and tundra [2]. The Canada lynx is highly specialized to hunt snowshoe hare, which make up over 75 percent of its diet [3]. In the United States, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists it as federally threatened [1].

Documented claims

  • The Canada lynx is a forest-dwelling cat of northern latitudes and high mountains. [3]
  • It is highly specialized to hunt snowshoe hare, which comprise over 75 percent of its diet. [3]
  • Its habitat includes dense forests, rocky areas, and tundra. [2]
  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists it as federally threatened in the United States. [1]

Questions and answers

Are Canadian lynx rare?

In the United States, the Canada lynx is listed as federally threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [1].

What is the Canada lynx's scientific name?

The scientific name is *Lynx canadensis* [1].

What does a Canada lynx eat?

It is a carnivore that primarily hunts snowshoe hare, which make up over 75 percent of its diet [3].

Sources

  1. Canada lynx fact sheet - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — fws.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Lynx | Description, Size, Habitat, & Facts | Britannica — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Animal Facts: Canada Lynx — canadiangeographic.ca (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature