What’s a Baby Lynx Called + 4 More Amazing Facts!

Did you know that a baby bobcat is part of the baby lynx family? What about that lynx have special feet that allow them to hunt in the snow? There’s no doubt that these wild cats are some of the most astounding animals on the planet.

Ready to learn some amazing facts about baby lynx kittens? Let’s jump right into five facts and pictures about the baby lynx! 

#1: A Baby Lynx is Called a Kitten!

Did you know that baby cats aren’t the only animals called kittens? Baby lynxes, who are a part of the same feline family, share the same name. A group of newborn lynxes is called a litter. A few other animals that are called kittens include rabbits, foxes, and even rats! 

#2: It Doesn’t Take Long for Lynx Kits to Become Independent! 

Can you imagine a baby becoming independent at just ten months old? While that may be a far cry from a responsible choice for a human, it’s normal for the baby lynx. For the first four to five months of their lives, lynx kittens depend completely on their mothers. Then, they learn how to hunt until they are around ten months old, when they are completely independent.

Sometimes, it takes longer for baby lynxes to reach full maturity. While the average wild cat takes about a year to venture away from its mothers, this requires adequate prey. If food is scarce when the babies are learning to hunt, it can take longer for them to leave. Still, in most cases, lynxes are ready to fend for themselves by the time they are three years old.

#3: Baby Lynx Have Special Fur that Helps Them Hear!

Did you know that the tufts of fur at the top of a baby lynx kittens ear serve an important purpose? It’s true! While these fluffy tufts might look adorable, they are a big part of helping the wild kittens hunt. This is because these special tufts help enhance the lynxes hearing. 

Sometimes, animals have enhanced hearing to make up for their poor eyesight. However, this is not the case for lynx kittens. Scientists say that Canadian lynxes have exceptionally good eyesight, too. In fact, they can spot a tiny mouse from up to 250 feet away. By comparison, a human with perfect eyesight can only see about 20 feet in from of them before things start to get blurry. 

Their amazing eyesight and keen sense of hearing aren’t the only things that make lynxes great hunters. They are also extremely fast! On average, when a baby lynx reaches adulthood, they have a maximum speed of more than 30 miles per hour and can run significantly faster than a human!

#4: Lynx Kittens Have Huge Feet

Baby lynx kittens live in cold habitats that are prone to snowy conditions. Consequently, the sly felines do much of their hunting on thick blankets of fluffy snow. Luckily, their large feet help them travel without being slowed down or detected.

The most interesting thing about lynx kittens’ feet isn’t their size. Instead, it’s in how they can manipulate them for travel in snowy conditions. The space between their toes is webbed. The result is snowshoe-like feet that make hunting in the snow a breeze. Their paws are also covered in fur, which protects their skin from becoming frostbitten.

The only type of lynx that lacks this special ability is the bobcat. Consequently, bobcats don’t live in the same habitat and prefer warmer climates.

#5: A Baby Bobcat is a Lynx

Did you know that there are only four different types of lynxes in the world? These include Canadian Lynx, Iberian Lynx, Eurasian Lynx, and Bobcat! Even though bobcats don’t have “lynx” in their name like the other members of the family, they are no less part of the group! 

Baby bobcats are mammals and drink their mother’s milk for the first several months of their lives. When they begin to hunt around six months of age, they learn the art of ambush. Since these astounding felines are small, they rely heavily on the element of surprise to capture prey. This also allows them to take down animal prey up to eight times their weight!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Stanislav Duben/Shutterstock.com