Lynx — facts for kids
Lynx lynx
The lynx is Sweden's only wild cat. It moves along forest edges around Sundsvall, mostly at dusk, and it is so quiet that almost nobody sees it. The tufts on its ears help it hear the smallest sound in the snow.
Field notes
How big?
Like a large dog, but lower and lighter on its feet
How heavy?
About as heavy as a big child
What does it eat?
Roe deer, hares and forest birds
When can you see it?
At dusk and during the night
How big is it?
Lynx is about 65 cm at the shoulder.
Look for this
Round paw prints with no claw marks — cats pull their claws in when they walk. The tracks often follow a forest edge.
How it sounds
Almost always silent. In winter it can call a long, soft yaaaow.
Fun to know
- The lynx pulls in its claws when it walks, just like a house cat.
- Its paws are as wide as snowshoes, so it does not sink into the snow.
- It can hear a hare moving far away, thanks to the tufts on its ears.
Meet the lynx for real
At places across Sundsvall, Sweden, the animals stand in their real spots. Come within ten metres and the lynx comes alive in the phone and answers children's questions. The trail is in Swedish.