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Canada lynx ( Lynx canadensis)
Status: Threatened, listed March 24, 2000
Habitat: Mix of evergreens and hardwoods, such as maple and birch; interspersion of mature and young forest
Lead Region: 6
Region 3 Lead Office: Twin Cities , Minnesota Field Office
Range: California, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
The Canada lynx is protected under the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species. Historically the lynx was found from Alaska across Canada and into the northern U.S. states. The center of the North American range is in north-central Canada. Within the lower 48 states, in the east it lived in a transition zone between boreal coniferous forests to the north and deciduous forest to the south and in the west it lived subalpine coniferous forests in the mountains.
The lynx’s long legs and large feet make it adapted for hunting in deep snow and it's main prey is snowshoe hare. Canada lynx numbers and range expand and shrink in relation to hare populations. It's range in the lower 48 states included the southern-most extent of its range - with the southern-most range also expanding and constricting in response to hare numbers.
Canada lynx likely have never been as abundant in the lower 48 States as they were in northern Canada and Alaska because there is less lynx and snowshoe hare habitat in this part of their range. Declines of lynx in the lower 48 states were due to trapping and timber harvests that removed, changed and fragmented habitat. Today, timber harvest, recreation and their related activities are the threats to lynx habitat.
Life History, Ecological and Regulatory Information
Critical HabitatCanada Lynx Critical Habitat Revisions Proposed2013 Proposal to Revise Canada Lynx Critical Habitat
Final Rule: Revision of Critical Habitat - Feb. 24, 2009News Release: Revised Critical Habitat Designated for Canada Lynx Includes Changes in Minnesota (Feb. 24, 2009)
Images of Canada Lynx Project in MaineFinal Rule: Revision of Critical Habitat - Questions and Answers (Feb. 24, 2009) Map of Canada Lynx Critical Habitat in Minnesota More Information about the revised critical habitat designation for Canada lynx Other Links
Midwest Endangered Species Home
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Last updated:
July 19, 2016
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