Canadian Lynx

Lynx canadensis

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAJH03010
Common Name: 
Canadian Lynx
Scientific Name: 
Lynx canadensis
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Carnivora
Family: 
Felidae
References: 
R046
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

Generally 2 years (can vary with nutritional status) (R048), can be as early as 1 year (B113).
References: 
B113
R048

Economic/Human Considerations

important fur bearer
References: 
B001
Habitat
Open mature coniferous forests, advanced successional forest stages, and black spruce bogs.
References: 
R046
R068
Distribution

Ecozones

Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B001

Distribution

75% (R068) 66% (B113) 72% (B112) (R139)
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
B112
B113
R068
R139

Number of Occurrences

Score: 
E = >

Historical Distribution

0.68
References: 
R068

Area of Occupancy

Disperse when prey populations fall (cyclic dispersion).
Score: 
-
References: 
H111
H117
H118
R068
Population

Population Size

Annual harvest data: in 1980s = 2,000-3,000, in 1990s - <1,000. 723 in 2007/08. Nearly impossible to estimate over large areas due to high fluctuation but about 8,000 – 80,000 in NWT based on (T*P)*D = T*0.60*(0.001) to T*0.60*(0.10) or 9,000 – 90,000 based on NWT portion of Canada estimate in Poole (2002) (RSC10).
Score: 
F = 1
References: 
R120
RSC10

Density

In Alberta, found to fluctuate from 0 to 10 lynx per 100 sq kms.
Trends

Trends

Dramatic (up to 10 fold) 10-year fluctuations (follow hare population cycle); decrease in peaks of trapped numbers may be due to factors other than population numbers (H111, H118, H117).
References: 
H111
H117
H118
R068
Threats

Threats

Potential localized over-trapping (particularly during cyclic lows), increased pelt value.
Score: 
C = M
References: 
B113
R068

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Forest clearing and human development
Score: 
-
References: 
B113
R068
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Reviewed in 2004 - no change in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024
Status Designations

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
Not At Risk
References: 
R068

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return
  • Poole KG (1992) Lynx research in the Northwest Territories, 1991-92. NWT Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development Manuscript Report No. 68 RWED Library Call #QL81.5.N67 no. 68 - R048 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return
  • Popko R (1999) Personal Communication. Wildlife Technician, RWED, Norman Wells - H117 Return
  • Mulders R (1999) Personal Communication. Carnivore / Fur Biologist, Wildlife and Fisheries, RWED, HQ - H118 Return
  • Stardom R (1989) Status report on the lynx Lynx canadensis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R068 Return
COSEWIC Status
  • Stardom R (1989) Status report on the lynx Lynx canadensis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R068 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • Eedy W (1982) Lynx Canadian status report, 1982 for the Committee on International Trade in Endangered Species. Canadian Wildlife Service RWED Library Call #QL737.C23E33 - R046 Return
  • Stardom R (1989) Status report on the lynx Lynx canadensis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R068 Return

Historical Distribution

  • Stardom R (1989) Status report on the lynx Lynx canadensis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R068 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return
  • Stardom R (1989) Status report on the lynx Lynx canadensis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R068 Return

Population Size

Corporate Services, NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1999) Game Licencing System: Individual Trapping Summary. summary in excel file generated by Guy Erasmus (S:\Guy\Furstats by species 1957 - 1997) - R120 Return
,
RWED biologists (2004) Forest Criteria & Iindicator Data Submission Forms - input from RWED on wildlife Criteria 1. Copy in Infobase Reference binder - RSC10 Return

Range Extent

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return
  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return
  • Stardom R (1989) Status report on the lynx Lynx canadensis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R068 Return
  • COSEWIC (2000) Updated COSEWIC Status report on Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) in Canada.. Based on a draft report by Kim Poole Copy in RWED Library - R139 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return
  • Popko R (1999) Personal Communication. Wildlife Technician, RWED, Norman Wells - H117 Return
  • Mulders R (1999) Personal Communication. Carnivore / Fur Biologist, Wildlife and Fisheries, RWED, HQ - H118 Return
  • Stardom R (1989) Status report on the lynx Lynx canadensis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R068 Return

Taxonomy

  • Eedy W (1982) Lynx Canadian status report, 1982 for the Committee on International Trade in Endangered Species. Canadian Wildlife Service RWED Library Call #QL737.C23E33 - R046 Return

Threats

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return
  • Stardom R (1989) Status report on the lynx Lynx canadensis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R068 Return