A critical look at the Iberian lynx Iberian lynx

The Iberian lynx is the most endangered of the world. With a population of only 100 animals, the Iberian lynx has disappeared in Portugal and could become extinct in the Iberian Peninsula within two years.

Constitution of the Iberian Lynx

The Iberian lynx is between 80-110 cm in length, a height between 50-70 cm. A male can weigh between 12-16 kg and the female can weigh 9-11 kg. The Iberian Lynx presents: A relatively small head; tufts on the tips of the ears; For the elongated facial which become more noticeable in winter; A long and silky coat with a reddish brown color or gray with black spots A robust appearance with solid legs of which the back are noticeably longer than the front; Claws large.

Iberian Lynx Habitat

This cat lives in the Iberian Peninsula, in mountainous areas, forest and scrub-covered Mediterranean. Prefers to be in a dense bush for shelter and walking in open pasture for hunting. We could find it in the Algarve in the mountainous areas in strife-Barrancos perimeter due to the extensive forest in the Serra da Malcata and Vale do Sado.

Feeding Iberian lynx

The Iberian Lynx eat mainly European rabbits, although sometimes also eat young deer, mouflons, ducks and other birds, fish, foxes and snakes. It is known that sometimes kills the predators just for pleasure.

Reproduction of the Iberian lynx

The Lynx mate in January or February and pups are born in March or April. The cubs stay with their mother until she mated again in winter. Remain within the territory of the mother during an average of 20 months before they disperse over a distance up to 30 km. The brothers get together for some time after leaving the mother.

Some information on offspring of the Iberian Lynx

After 68-72 days of gestation, born between one to five cubs, only receiving care nursery for about one year, when they become independent and leave the family group. Usually when 3 or 4 cubs are born, come into fighting for food or for no reason and eventually remain only until 1 or 2, hence one of its small population increases. Females reach maturity after 21 months and males after 33 months. Bobcats Many young people die because they have no territory to expand.

Some of the causes that may lead to the extinction of the Iberian Lynx
The Iberian lynx is endangered due to: The illegal hunting; Accidental deaths caused by traps; Baits poisoned; Bump. The main cause of extinction is the disappearance and death of the rabbits (which are their main prey). Must protect the Bobcats, as they contribute to biodiversity, as we watch their habitats preventing accidents at critical points. Land of Mediterranean scrub, the Malcata is also a land of lynx, the most endangered mammal in our territory. Species threatened with extinction according to Red Books of Portugal, Spain and the IUCN, species strictly protected by the Berne Convention; species of Community interest requires the designation of special conservation areas requiring strict protection under the Habitats Directive of the European Union European; species whose trade is subject to strict regulation by the CITES Convention ... Perhaps, well hidden among the foliage, the lynx to evade making us look even doubt their own presence ... ...However, significant efforts are being made to ensure their protection .

If you want more research on:

http://carnivora.fc.ul.pt/lince.htm http://wikipedia.org/wiki/lince http://lynxpardinus.naturlink.pt/habitat.html http://lynxpardinus.naturlink.pt/estatuto_taxonomica.html http://lynxpardinus.naturlink.pt/so_uma.html