The Cat Survival Trust

The Iberian Lynx

Felis (Lynx) pardinus Linnaeus

Contents

 
 
  • Description
  • Distribution
  • Diet
  • Behaviour
  • Reproduction
  • Conservation Status
  • Further Reading

    • Other names

    		  
     English:Spanish lynx, Pardel lynx
     French:lynx d’Espagne
     German:Pardelluchs
     Spanish:lince iberico

    Description

    Only half the size of a Eurasian lynx, the Iberian lynx is a spotted cat, with prominent ear tufts, long legs and a very short tail. It weighs about 12 kilograms, the females rather less.

    Principle Dimensions

     OverallMalesFemales
    Head and body lengths (cm)   
    Height at shoulder (cm)   
    Tail lengths (cm)   
    Weight (Kg) 139

    Top of Page

    Distribution and Habitats

    As its vernacular name implies, this lynx is confined to the Iberian peninsula, where it appears to exist in fragmented populations spread mainly over the southern half of Spain, though it occurs in small numbers throughout.
    The gray areas on the map show the principal areas in which the many scattered populations of this lynx occur.
    The map is based on information in the Wild Cats Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan published by the IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group in 1996. This book gives much more detail about the distribution of this cat and is probably the best source of recent data available. See our Books page for more details.
    Top of Page

    Diet

    The main prey animal is the rabbit, but other mammals such as deer fawns are also taken during the winter.

    Top of Page

    Behaviour

    Mainly nocturnal.
    Top of Page

    Reproduction

    Mating is believed to occur in January. Gestation is about two months, at the end of which two or three kittens are born. The kittens achieve independence at around eight months old.
    Sexual maturity is reached at around one year old, but first reproduction may not happen until much later, dependent on various environmental factors.
    Top of Page

    Conservation Status

    The Spanish (or Iberian) Lynx rivals the Iriomote Cat for the title of the world's most endangered cat. The IUCN Red List has this lynx as Endangered. (Cat News 23, 1995, p.21)
    The lynx is fully protected throughout the peninsula, and the main threat to its survival seems to come from declining prey numbers, mainly as the result of diseases which have drastically reduced rabbit populations in the region.
    Top of Page

     

    Click here to visit a bilingual site devoted to the Iberian lynx with special reference to Portugal

    Back to Wild Cats of the World Back to CST Home Page

    Latest update: 21st July, 2000

    © September 1996 The Cat Survival Trust, The Centre, Codicote Road, Welwyn, AL6 9TU, England.
    Telephone: +44 (0)1438 716873Fax: +44 (0)1438 717535
    email: cattrust@aol.com