Iberian lynx, lynx pardinus, are also known as Spanish lynx or Pardel lynx. Their heads and bodies measure 33 to 43 inches (85 to 110 centimeters) long, with their tails adding an additional 4.7 to 11.8 inches (12 to 30 centimeters) of length. They are not as heavy as some of the other wild cats in the world, weighing in anywhere from 22 to 55 pounds (10 to 25 kilograms), with males being larger than females. Iberian lynx have grey/brown, yellow, or reddish brown coats which display distinctive black markings. Their undersides on the other hand, are light in color.
Iberian lynx can be found within the Iberian Peninsula, which is located in southern Europe. They inhabit mountainous areas, preferring pastures when they hunt at night and resting in scrubland during the day. Although Iberian lynx are normally nocturnal, they will increase their daytime activities during the winter. They are solitary creatures, roaming and hunting alone (with the exception of mothers with children of course). Male territories often overlap female ones, and males make sure to mark their territories by urinating on rocks and trees.
The diet of Iberian lynx consists mainly of birds and small mammals, especially rabbits. When rabbits are scarce however, they will proceed to hunt rodents, ducks, as well as deer, wild boar, and mouflon sheep young. Iberian lynx will use their exceptional sense of smell and hearing to help them locate any prey that may be near by. After a successful feed, Iberian lynx will bury any leftovers in the ground. They will then come back to finish the remains the following day. Iberian lynx have practically no natural predators, with man being their greatest threat.
The breeding season of Iberian lynx peaks in January and February (but it will last all the way through July). Interestingly, even though females sexually mature at a young age (1 year for both males and females), they will not breed until they have established their own territory. Female Iberian lynx will give birth to a litter of 1 to 5 kittens after a gestation period of around 60 days. The kittens will begin to eat solid food when they are around 1 month old, but will continue to nurse for up to 8 months. At 10 months old, the kittens will become independent, although they will remain in the same territory until they are 20 months old before going off to establish their own. If the kittens can survive long enough, then they can live to be up to 14 years.
Iberian lynx are a critically endangered species. In fact they are the most endangered cat species on the planet, with less than 12,000 believed to be left (and only around 300 to 350 are thought to be breeding females). The loss of both natural habitat and their main food source, rabbits, are biggest reasons for their drastic decline. Thankfully, Iberian lynx are now protected by law, and conservation efforts are underway to help them recover. With any luck, such efforts will prove fruitful, and Iberian lynx can come back from the brink of extinction. After all, such a unique feline species deserves to live and prosper far into the future.
