Siberian Lynx - Natasha

This is NATASHA. She is a Siberian Lynx, also known as a Eurasian Lynx. She was born on May 2003. Natasha came to us from a breeder in Oregon who was impressed with our educational programs and donated her to us. She is completely healthy, and had a wonderful start in life by her previous owners.

The Siberian Lynx is the largest of the Lynx species with relatively long legs, and large feet which provide a "snowshoe effect" for more efficient travel through deep snow. In winter, the fur grows very densely on the bottom of the feet. The coat is greyish with a tint varying from rusty to yellowish. A bright reddish tint, with profuse spotting, is seen most frequently in the south-western part of the Lynx's range. The last 2 inches of the tail are black. Their ears are tipped with long prominent black tufts. There are three main coat patterns: predominantly spotted, predominantly striped, and unpatterned.

The main prey ofthe Lynx is small hoofed animals, particularly roe deer, chamois and musk deer. The Lynx will generally only take small prey when hoofed animals are scarce, and is capable of killing prey 3-4 times its own size. Throughout Europe and Siberia, Lynx are associated primarily with forested areas which have good populations of hoofed animals. The Siberian Lynx has one of the widest ranges of all cat species, with approximately 75% of the range within the borders of Russia. They are territorial and do not usually move far from their own turf, as well as solitary except during breeding once a year, normally in February and March.

As with all other cats, this species is Appendix II of CITES because it has been hunted relentlessly as a predator of poultry and livestock.