Iberian Lynx

endangered cat · Iberian Peninsula · wild hunter

Spotted wild cat. The Iberian lynx is a medium-sized wild cat with a sleek body, tufted ears, and spotted fur that helps it blend in with its surroundings.

Lives in one place. This cat is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, meaning it lives nowhere else on Earth, only in parts of Spain and Portugal.

Ancient survivor. Fossils show that Iberian lynxes have roamed the Iberian Peninsula for around 1 million years, all the way back to the Early Pleistocene period.

One of a kind. The Iberian lynx is a monotypic species, which means it's the only one of its kind in its own special category, with no subspecies.

Evolved over time. Scientists believe the Iberian lynx evolved from an earlier cat species called Lynx issiodorensis thousands of years ago.