Among the variety, which can boast of taiga animals, lynx, perhaps, has generated among people far removed from these territories, the largest number of superstitions and misconceptions.Most people think it is quite a large cat - almost the size of a Siberian tiger.There are tales of cunning beast and chilling stories about how she is jumping from branch to neck person (elk, wild boar ...) and breaks his spine like to enter the home and drags children.In our opinion, the lynx - an animal that does not deserve such a bias.She lives, hunts, raise young, as any other taiga (or living elsewhere) beast.We will tell more about it.
Appearance animal
Contrary to popular belief, this cat is simply too large.Its size is unlikely to exceed the average size of Shepherds.With a body length of one meter weighs no more than fifteen kilograms, and small items and do almost rolled over for eight.Build her somewhat more thickset than in domestic cats;tail compared to them is a bit short - no longer than 30 centimeters - and has a blunt tip, resembling a stump.On ears characteristic brush, which, even far from zoology people realize that before him trot.Description of the animal is supplemented with mention of webbing between the fingers on the legs, thanks to which the cat does not sink even in the loose, not compacted snow.These predators live up to 21 years, if not sooner die of natural enemies of the teeth or human hands.
Habitats
In bygone times, 200-300 years ago, Europeans even knew who trot.The animal was spread quite widely, and is found to the south of where the current areas of residence.However, it is widely considered harmful predator and ruthlessly exterminated.Today in Russia it inhabits deaf conifers between Kamchatka and Sakhalin.Incidentally, this island beast "discovered" for myself not long ago.In other regions, in desolate forests, you can meet a lynx - an animal is observed in Central Asia, in the Carpathians and the Caucasus.Everywhere the population are very small, why and protected.
method food
I must say that the lynx - an animal territoriality and settled, but if necessary, it is no longer enough food may roam.The basis of the diet of rabbits, which are complemented by rodents and birds - grouse, partridge and grouse.Large animals beast escapes, but can you raise a young roe deer, elk, deer, and tucked under the case - gilts and boars.Hunt Lynx (animal photos are shown in the article) from the ambush, quietly sneaking suddenly attacking.Long run, it does not stand up, and if the production managed to dodge the persecution stops.With wooden beast never jumping on the victim, but climbs well, can jump not only from one branch to another, but also trees.However, using this method of movement only to escape from danger.Lynx floats perfectly, but does so very reluctantly, like all cats.All at once the prey animal does not eat - partially hides a "rainy day."Natural enemies are the lynx and wolverines wolves.In recent lynx habitat practically lives.
Lynx-parents
In February, at the latest - in March, at the start of lynxes' mating season. "At this time, the animals are usually prefer solitude and chase competitors with its hunting territory, it appeared to bear with neighbors.For female it happens quite bloody fights.Pregnancy in lynx lasts from 63 to 70 days;It brings the female usually 2-3 kittens.For both parents take care of the offspring.The first couple of months rysyata feed exclusively on mother's milk, then the appearance of the teeth, go to the usual predatory diet, but fed by mothers continue for quite some time.In three months they begin to accompany their parents, and to 8-9 when spotting appears skins begin to participate in the hunt.The children remain with their mother until the next mating season;if it has not got a pair, rysyata can stay with her and further, until we enter the age sufficient for reproduction.
The valuable lynx?
The reasons that so hard to destroy these beasts, are not completely clear.They are considered to be almost the pests, but with the same success can be considered their "orderlies forests," as wolves in the first place, they destroy the sick, handicapped and weaker members of the species.People lynx avoids;hungry in the winter can come close to housing in the hope eat poultry or livestock offspring - but the same behavior characteristic and wolves, foxes, ferrets and even a bear, not counting the harmless ungulates.Is that because of the skin to actively beat the lynx population: fur in her strong and beautiful, highly regarded in the fur trade.
way, ryse meat, unlike most predators, tasty and tender, slightly smacks of veal.In today's world of predators cooking rejected.And in the ancient feasts were considered a delicacy.
So it is not so harmful and useless trot.Photos of animals, by the way, shows how it is beautiful and graceful.And no worse and no better than any other predator - them as nature intended.
