How do iberian lynxes hunt

I need to know the Iberian Lynx adaptations, for a project. In I was in Patagonia, and While on a tour, observed a cashed up woman wearing an unusual fur coat. A Spanish woman told me this could not be possible because they are on the endangered list, but a good fur coat can last for a long time. Could I have been correct in my identification?

It was more likely the pelt of a Eurasian lynx. There has never been enough Iberian lynx to supply any kind of fur trade, legal or illegal. The Eurasian species is still legally taken for the fur trade in many countries. Their pelage does vary in colour and some of them do resemble Iberian lynx.

Watched Portuguese documentary on the dwindling rabbit supply in the Wild and the Answer is. Australian rabbits are original Spanish stock taken to England by the Romans they thrive in our Dry climate and have survived all attempts at eradication where the Portuguese Rabbit has not.

This includes Calcivirus and Myxomatosis most are now immune to both with the population springing back rapidly. The solution import Australian rabbits immune to both diseases and native to the environment. Lynx den in rock piles, heavy brush or areas with fallen trees — anything that provides a large enough space to keep the kittens hidden. The first one, is when were the lynx first put on the critically endangered list? And second, why were the lynx being hunted in the first place?

Is it because of their fur? Or because they are competing with hunters for European Rabbits? Thanks for the other information in this article though!

It really helped me get facts for my essay! Iberian Lynx were classed as Critically Endangered in , and upgraded to Endangered in The lynx were being hunted for two reasons. Farmers killed them as a form of predator control, shooting the cats on site as they assumed lynx would eat their domestic livestock. The real cause of the cats rapid decline was not hunting, but a disease that wiped out almost the entire rabbit population. Iberian lynx are specialist feeders and do not switch to other prey if rabbits are scarce.

Due to wide ranging, long-running educational programs people are no longer hunting the lynx, although they are occasionally caught in traps set for other animals. The main threats to the Iberian Lynx now are death by automobile and loss of habitat. In , there were an estimated 1, Iberian Lynx in Spain. Human development such as dams, highways and railways also encroached on its native habitat.

They were also being hunted by people. While losing its habitat, humans were also over-hunting the cats main prey species, the European rabbit. Iberian Lynx would have disappeared completely if not for the captive breeding program, which is now reintroducing them to protected habitats in Spain and Portugal. This helps a bunch!

There are other differences, too. Decreasing food base Rabbits form the main prey of the Iberian lynx. Epidemics, such as myxamatosis and the haemorrhagic disease, have affected rabbit populations over the years, which has in turn affected the Iberian lynx population. WWF is calling the spanish authorities to escalate efforts to recover rabbit populations.

Car hits The construction of high speed roads and highways, splitting up the Lynx habitat, is another of the main threats for this wild cat. A very high number, given the small population of the species.

After a WWF campaign, the spanish national and regional authorities are starting to take preventive measures on the roads. Their presence in Portugal has not been confirmed since January, Iberian lynx require variable terrain below m, containing a mosaic of closed Mediterranean scrubland interspersed with open patches of grassland, often with marsh ecotones. This natural mosaic landscape creates the optimal balance of shrub cover and open space. Lynx use areas of scrubland as shelter as well as for bedding and breeding.

Areas with minimal cover provide habitat for their primary prey, European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus , which occur in higher densities in these locations. Unfortunately, Iberian lynx have disappeared from many areas containing suitable habitat, presumably due to low rabbit densities. Iberian lynx habitat in Donana National Park is relatively flat 0 to 50 m above sea level and has a Mediterranean sub-humid climate.

This particular ecoregion is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and has marked seasonality. Like most felids, Iberian lynx are solitary animals that exhibit a metapopulation demographic structure. They depend on dispersal between populations to avoid inbreeding and thus, require movement corridors between areas of suitable habitat. Corridors allow individuals to search for habitats outside of their of natal territory.

Iberian lynx are similar in appearance to their close relative, Eurasian lynx, but are about half the size. They are similar in size to Canada lynx Lynx canadensis and Bobcat Lynx rufus , and males are larger than females. They have relatively small heads, long legs, and very short, black-tipped tails, which is a common characteristic of Lynx species.

They have short, flat faces, and black tufts on the ears and jowls that give them a bearded appearance, which is especially evident in adults. They have tawny pelage, which is mottled with dark spots that vary greatly in size, shape, and color intensity. Recent efforts have been made to characterize the configuration, size, and intensity of these spots, which may prove useful in determining the degree of genetic diversity within the species.

As small prey specialists, Iberian lynx have a foreshortened skull that maximizes the bite force of the canines. In addition, they have more narrow muzzles, longer jaws, and smaller canines than felines that specialize on larger prey.

These adaptations provide an advantage when catching small, fast prey and allow Iberian lynx to deliver a single kill bite that punctures the back of the neck, thus severing the spinal cord as opposed to suffocating bites, common in larger cats. Small-prey felids have smaller canines that result in a smaller contact area. When compared to the large, rounded canines found in large-prey cats, a smaller contact area results in increased bite force per unit contact area. As a result, small-prey cats punctures the skin of prey more easily than their large-prey counterparts.

Under typical population densities 0. In the most prey rich habitats of northern Donana National Park, the population density is much higher 0. This population is close to its carrying capacity, and the total number of suitable territories is low, thus increasing intrasexual competition.

As a result, males are forced to have smaller territories that are more easily defended against rival males. Under these unique circumstances, males focus their efforts on defending exclusive access to a single female, resulting in monogamy.

Iberian lynx reach sexual maturity at around 1 year of age, though females only breed once they've secured a territory of their own. Estrus peaks in January, however females may re-enter estrus if gestation is interrupted or they lose a litter prematurely. Females give birth to a maximum of one litter per year, but only breed if their habitat is of sufficient quality. Average reproductive rate for an individual female is 0.

Gestation lasts for 63 to 73 days and most births occur between March and April. Litters range in size from 2 to 4 kittens, with an average of 3. Kittens are semi-altricial at birth, and in most cases only 2 offspring survive weaning, which occurs 10 weeks after birth. Iberian lynx are independent by 7 to 8 months old. Breeding season in Iberian lynx occurs from January to July and is the only time males and females interact. Breeding territories of adult males typically overlap with those of several females.

Males defend their territories against rival males and may potentially breed with any female who shares part of his territory. Aggressive interactions over mating rights are rare; however, high-density populations usually experience higher rates of aggressive intrasexual interactions than low-density populations, and may occasionally result in death.

Prior to giving birth, female Iberian lynx locate a secluded natural structure which serves as the natal den for her offspring. Often, females establish den sites in large tree hollows; however, rock caves, boulder piles, ground dens, or rabbit warrens that have been expanded by another animal, such as a badger, are also potential den sites.

Iberian lynx kittens are born semi-altricial. As a result, they have poor thermoregulatory control and are vulnerable to predation. By giving birth in a small space e. This preference persists with little geographic or seasonal variation, although the cats consume ducks, partridges or young deer if rabbits are scarce.

An adult lynx can subsist on one rabbit per day, although a mother with kittens will need to kill at least three. These cats are solitary hunters, and their routines are linked to those of their primary prey.

They are mostly nocturnal by nature, but they're most active in the early evening when rabbits are feeding.