(Felis [Lynx] lynx), a true cat having a body length of 82–109 cm, a tail length of 20–24 cm, and a weight of 8–19 kg (in rare cases, up to 32 kg). The legs are strong and relatively long, and the paws very large. The ears are tufted, and the animal has whiskers. Coloration varies from monochrome (straw-colored or red) to spotted.
The lynx is distributed in Europe, North America, North Asia, Middle Asia, and—to a lesser extent—Southwest Asia. The cat inhabits extensive, dense forests in valleys and mountains; it sometimes enters the forest steppe. The lynx feeds primarily on hares, murine rodents, and birds; it sometimes attacks such ungulates as roe deer and musk deer. The cat hunts mainly at night. The lynx leads a settled life, migrating only when food is scarce. The cat climbs trees easily. Mating takes place in February or March. After a gestation period of nine or ten weeks, a litter usually containing two or three young is born.
Lynxes have a population that fluctuates with the food supply. The cats are of minor commercial value (the fur is used). They are harmful to the hunting industry, since they destroy commercially valuable animals.