Daily patterns of activity are linked to the European rabbit, their primary prey. During winter, these lynxes may become diurnal for a period of time. Adult males and females live in territories that overlap, and both genders will defend their territories against conspecifics of the same gender. The Iberian Lynx is a carnivore and eats mainly small mammals, particularly rabbits and birds.
Deer and mouflon are prey when rabbits are scarce. Iberian lynx are polygynous, with one male mating with multiple females, but in northern Donana National Park, where the amount of suitable territories is small and intersexual competition is increasing, males must have smaller territories, which are more easy to defend against rival males, and so they focus on defending their exclusive access to one particular female, which results in monogamy.
The mating season takes place from January to July. Gestation lasts about 60 days and the female bears 2 - 3 kittens. The young become independent at about months but will stay in the territory where they were born until the age of 20 months. A female wait until her territory is established before she breeds. This may take as long as 3 years or may, in fact, never happen.
Males reach maturity when they are 1 year old. It is also often killed by traps set for rabbits, and by cars, as roading increases. This species is classified as Endangered EN , but its numbers are increasing today. Aside from depending on European rabbits as their food source, Iberian lynx have very particular habitat requirements. Due to this, they could act as reliable bioindicators of the health of their particular ecosystem. Furthermore, moderate population numbers of these animals may positively affect overall prey fitness, predation possibly acting as a mechanism of disease control.
Also, Iberian lynxes often kill smaller carnivores in order to reduce the competition for prey. Iberian Lynx Spanish lynx, Pardel Lynx. Lynx pardinus. Population size. Life Span. Photos with Iberian Lynx. However, conservation measures have seen its population inch above A mother may carry its cubs between up to 12 homes, to avoid predators. Download wallpaper PC iPhone. Archive Content Please note: This page has been archived and its content may no longer be up-to-date.
Toggle navigation. Language English. Key Facts. Common name Common Names. Endangered Status Endangered. Latin name Scientific Name Lynx pardinus. Population Population The big cat running out of space. Physical Description The Iberian lynx is heavily spotted and weighs about half as much as the Eurasian species, with long legs and a very short tail with a black tip. Its coat is tawny with dark spots and it bears a characteristic "beard" around its face and prominent black ear tufts.
The average litter size is 3, with rarely more than 2 young surviving weaning. Kittens leave the den between 8 and 23 months. Very high rates of mortality during dispersal have been detected. Diet The Iberian lynx mostly depends on wild rabbits to feed, but it will also eat ducks, young deer and partridges if rabbit densities are low. Publication ID:. This publication describes the very urgent situation regarding the Iberian Lynx. Author s :. Monographic series:. Publication cover:.
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