Lynx Trivia Quiz

Answer: Eyes

A lynx's eyes are very reflective and luminescent. They are mostly active at night, and the reflectors in their eyes, along with expanding irises, allow them to hunt prey more effectively. The lynx can also be a symbol for sight and some have even said that they can see through objects.

Answer: Urine

According to Theophrastus, the best lyngurium came from wild male lynx and the stone possessed unusual power. It was thanks to Theophrastus that this myth was passed down through the Middle Ages. Another name for the lynx-stone is Lapis lyncurius, and the stone Theophrastus described could be amber or tourmaline.

Answer: Iberian lynx

The Iberian lynx is native to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). Though it was once considered to be a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx, it is now considered to be its own species. The Iberian lynx was considered critically endangered until 2014, when its status was changed to endangered. Conservation efforts, like habitat conservation, maintenance of their food supply, and reintroduction have been effective in increasing the Iberian lynx population.

Answer: Bobcat

The bobcat generally tends to be smaller than the other species of lynx. There are various subspecies of bobcats, and they can be found in northern Mexico, southern Canada, and much of the continental United States. It is unique from other lynx because it doesn't rely as heavily on forested areas and can inhabit swamps, deserts, and mountainous areas.

Answer: Bobtail and black hair on eartips

Lynx are known for their short tails and the black, pointy hair on the ends of their ears. They also tend to have large, padded paws, especially in areas with lots of snow, where they serve as a type of 'snowshoe'. Color and fur length vary from region to region, but lynx in colder climates tend to have lighter colored and thicker fur than those found in warmer climates.

Answer: False

Lynx are quite solitary, though it is possible for them to be in small groups at times. This usually only occurs while a mother lynx is caring for her cubs, who only stay with her until the next winter's mating season (about five to nine months). Sometimes sibling lynx will stick together for a bit after leaving their mother, or a couple of female lynx will hunt together.

Answer: Republic of Macedonia

On the back side of Macedonia's five denar coin there is a lynx. The lynx found in Macedonia are Balkan lynx, a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx. Though the Eurasian lynx as a species is not endangered, the Balkan lynx subspecies is.

Answer: Human child

As a child, I was warned not to get off the porch after dark because I could get eaten by a bobcat. While some lynx will come into populated areas because they are attracted by food, usually small animals or pets, they rarely attack humans and generally avoid them. Many cases of bobcat or lynx attacks are due to rabies, though there is a slight chance that an extremely aggressive lynx or one trying to protect itself or its young would attack a human.

Depending on the area and species of lynx, their diets vary from small animals like rabbits, birds, and fish, to larger animals like young deer, boar, and moose. They will also feed on carrion and hide food to be eaten later, especially if food is scarce.

Answer: Russia

The Eurasian lynx is sometimes referred to as the Russian lynx or the Siberian lynx. It lives in the forested areas of northern and eastern Europe and parts of Asia. There have been efforts to reintroduce the Eurasian lynx to parts of western Europe where the local populations have been reduced or no longer exist.

Answer: False

Other names for the caracal include African, Egyptian or Persian lynx, though it is not actually a lynx at all. It belongs to the Caracal genus and not the Lynx genus, but it does have black hair on its ears like lynx do. Another cat also often mistaken as a member of the Lynx genus because of its ear hair is the jungle cat, which some call a jungle lynx.