Canada Lynx Have Arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Grab your fuzziest winter jacket and say hello to these cold-weather cats!
In a paw-some bit of autumn news, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is excited to announce three Canada lynx brothers have recently moved in. As you plan your next visit to the Zoo, be sure to add the Great Cats exhibit to your itinerary and see if you can spot Jasper, Rocky and Yukon exploring their new habitat.
“We are very excited to bring a new species – and especially these playful youngsters – to zoo visitors,” said Great Cats curator Craig Saffoe. “These stunning cats are a great mixture of cute and wild, and will hopefully inspire people to learn more about the whole cat family.”
They may look like overgrown housecats, but a fully grown Canada lynx can measure about 3.5 feet (1.06 meters) long—even with that stubby tail. (Roshan Patel/Smithsonian)
Fast Facts About Canada Lynx
Wild and woolly, Canada lynx are medium-sized cats that thrive the frosty boreal forests of Canada and the northern United States.
They’re often mistaken for bobcats, but there are some key differences that set these feisty felines apart from their cousins: silvery-gray spotted coats, pointy dark tips that flare from their ears, and oversized paws that help them dash through the snow.
Built-in snowshoes? Canada lynx have large, furry paws that allow them to move on top of deep snow without sinking. (Roshan Patel/Smithsonian)
They’re also known for their excellent eyesight. In fact, the word 'lynx’ is derived from the Greek word for ‘light’ or ‘brightness’, referring to their sharp vision.
Compared to similar species, Canada lynx have so-so senses of smell — instead, they rely on their keen eyesight and excellent hearing to hunt for prey. (Roshan Patel/Smithsonian)
New at the Zoo: The Brothers Lynx
Earlier this summer, animal care teams at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo welcomed lynx brothers Jasper, Rocky, and Yukon from John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Mich. Like all Zoo arrivals, the newcomers spent several weeks in a quarantine area, where they could be monitored for any signs of illness, before making their public debut in a renovated habitat across from the African bat-eared foxes.
They’ve since settled in, and the keeper team notes that the brothers’ distinct personalities are beginning to shine through:
- Yukon is by far the boldest of the three. He loves to greet the keeper team whenever they come to the area, and he shows extra interest in pint-sized visitors.
- Jasper follows Yukon almost everywhere he goes. He has started to come out of his shell and show some independence, but he still seems to find a lot of comfort in having his brother nearby.
- Rocky is the shyest of the trio. He can often be seen lounging solo and enjoying his cat naps.
Wait…What? Cold Weather Cats in D.C.?
Although Canada lynx are famous for thriving in snowy northern forests, their native range includes wide temperature swings. July and August in Canada and the northern U.S. can get nearly as warm as Washington—although perhaps not as swampy.
“Like most North American mammals, lynx are built for the changing seasons,” explained Saffoe.
Still, Zoo staff make an extra effort to keep the animals comfortable throughout the summer. On hot days, the cats can retreat to shaded dens and climate-controlled spaces behind the scenes, or cool off with ‘meatsicles’ and other icy enrichment items. Visitors might even spot them lounging in shaded areas of their habitat — and there are additional spaces out of public view if they choose to rest somewhere more private.
Learn more about how the Zoo keeps the animals cool in hot weather.
How the Zoo Supports Canada Lynx Conservation
It’s always exciting to welcome new animals to the Zoo, but the lynxes are also part of the bigger picture.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Canada Lynx Species Survival Plan, a program dedicated to fostering a healthy, sustainable population of the cats in human care.
Being brothers, Zoo staff certainly aren’t expecting our lynx trio to produce cubs, Saffoe said. But by housing them, the Zoo is making it possible for other institutions to continue pairing breeding-age lynx, which is essential for long-term conservation plans of this remarkable species.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is committed to conserving threatened and endangered species like the Canada lynx around the globe. Plan your visit the Zoo and see how we work to save species.
Related Species:
Continue Exploring
Secrets of Summer Panda Life ›
How are the new giant pandas spending their first summer? And what’s changed since they arrived nine months ago? Keeper Mariel Lally explains.
Keeping the Farm Animals Cool With Frozen Treats ›
Join animal keeper Nikki Maticic on a hot summer day as she prepares icy veggie snacks for the animals at Kids' Farm.
Behind the Scenes: A Horse With a History of 'Over-Aunting' ›
Helping care for the youngest herd member is common in many species, but elderly Przewalski's horse Emma has a habit of taking it to the extreme.