Description
The Iberian lynx is the world’s most threatened species of cat, and may become the first wild cat species to go extinct for over 2,000 years. Although smaller in size, it resembles the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), possessing the same characteristically bobbed tail, tufts on the ears and jaw, a spotted coat, muscular body and long legs. European rabbits make up the mainstay of the diet of the Iberian lynx, unlike the larger Eurasian lynx that feeds mainly on ungulates such as roe deer and chamois. Small deer may be eaten on occasion, if rabbit numbers are low. A male Iberian Lynx catches one rabbit a day, whilst a breeding female will need up to 5 rabbits a day to raise her family. Captured prey is usually carried or dragged a considerable distance before being eaten, and the remains are buried.
Population size & trend
Estimated population size: | 84 – 143 (IUCN red list), mainly restricted to two isolated populations in southern Spain. |
Trend: | decreasing; promising results have been achieved in Portugal’s Iberian lynx breeding centre in 2011⁄2012 where 17 cubs successfully have been born and reared. |
Geographical range & habitat
Historically widespread throughout the Iberian peninsular and the south of France. Today, small and severely fragmented populations are found only in diminishing areas of suitable habitat in central and south-western parts of Spain, and in the Algarve mountains of Portugal.The Iberian lynx prefers a mosaic of woodland or dense scrub for shelter during the day and open pasture for hunting rabbits. It is found mainly between 400 — 900 m but occurs up to 1600 m. |
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Biology
Head-body length: | 85 — 110 cm |
Female weight: | average of 9.3 kg |
Male weight: | average of 12.8 kg |
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Age to maturity: | Females reach sexual maturity at one year of age but will only breed once they are in possession of their own territory |
Gestation period: | 63 – 73 days; The mating season peaks at the beginning of the year in January and February |
Birth rate | 0.6 — 0.8 litters/female/year; litter size 1 – 4 kittens |
Life span: | up to 13 years |
Video
Feeding time for Iberian lynx cub
A cub is hand-fed by staff at the Iberian lynx breeding centre in Portugal, which is run by Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e da Biodiversidade (ICNB). This work forms part of efforts to boost numbers of this Critically Endangered cat species:
Video of mother ‘Boj’ playfighting with one of her cubs
The cub is born in 2012 at one of the breeding centres on the Iberian peninsula:
(Source: Programa e Conservación ex-situ, Lince Ibérico)