Canada Lynx

wild cat · snow · forest hunter · northern

Snowshoe paws. The Canada lynx has enormous, wide paws that work like snowshoes, spreading out to keep it from sinking into deep snow when it hunts.

Tufted ears. Its tall, triangular ears have black tufts at the tips that help it hear prey hiding under the snow, even from far away.

Tilted body shape. The lynx's back legs are longer than its front legs, which makes it stand taller in the back and lean forward like it's always ready to pounce.

Surprising swimmer. Even though it lives in forests, the Canada lynx is actually a good swimmer and can climb trees with its sharp claws.

Medium-sized wild cat. A Canada lynx weighs between 5 and 17 kilograms (11 to 37 pounds) and stands 48 to 56 centimeters tall at the shoulder, making it smaller than a mountain lion but bigger than a house cat.