North  American lynx  have  close  cousins  in  Europe and  Asia.  Most lynx live  in northern  forest country. Some live still farther  north, in the treeless tundra. But even these northerly  lynx stay in shrub covered  areas where they can hide from  enemies and avoid being  seen  by prey  until  the last possible moment.
 
 

The lynx has long legs and huge paws.  This makes it seem to be a much larger animal than it really is. Actually, the lynx only weighs 8 -11 kilograms (18 -25 pounds), which is about the same as a one-year-old baby. Just think - if the lynx were willing, you could probably pick it up in your arms! As with most animals, the males are larger than the females.  In northern areas lynx may grow slightly bigger than their cousins who live more to the south.
 
 

Cats are some of the world's best equipped hunters, and the lynx is no exception. Its keen senses and strong, agile body, its powerful jaws and sharp teeth, make it a very successful hunter indeed. Just like a pet cat, the lynx sneaks silently on its prey on its soft padded feet. It seems to know just where to step to make the least noise. It knows that even the snapping of a twig could cost it its dinner. If you have ever watched a house cat step gracefully around a row of houseplants or through a display of china ornaments, you have seen how a cat can do this. When it is near its prey the lynx waits, and quick as a flash, it bounds: one, two,three, success! The lynx will not be hungry tonight.
 

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