How to find out

Ordinary lynxes and red lynxes are not much different from each other, being a variety of small cats that live in the territory North America. On average, they reach one meter in length (3 feet). Both have short tails, stocky bodies, and are well adapted to survive in harsh environments.

The bobcat is easily identified by its short tail and spotted coat. In winter, it can often be seen hunting during the daytime.

At first glance, it is difficult to distinguish between an ordinary lynx and a red lynx. But, looking more closely, you can see that the red lynx has a more spotted skin. This gives her the opportunity to remain unnoticed in the dense vegetation of the rocky terrain, where she prefers to settle.

The lynx differs from other cats in that it has a very short tail, but otherwise it is a typical cat with huge paws and very sharp claws. In addition, her hearing is extremely developed, and the tips of her sharp ears are crowned with beautiful tufts of long hair.

The skin of a lynx, covered with thick, short gray-brown fur, helps it to camouflage well against the background of mosses and lichens. In different places where lynxes live, the color of their fur is also different. It varies in a wide range - from smooth without spots, to densely spotted.

Where does it live

Lynxes are commonly found in North America and the forests of northern Europe, where winters can be harsh. The lynx can live in temperatures down to 57° Celsius (70° Fahrenheit). It moves easily in deep snow. Even her relatively short tail, as if chopped off at the end, helps her adapt to the cold.

The bobcat lives in mountains and subtropical wetlands, on bare mountain slopes, among cacti on desert plains, but also in the cultural landscape and even in the vicinity of large cities.

As for the red lynx, it lives further south. In addition to North America, lynxes also live in sparsely populated areas of Europe, from Spain to Scandinavia, and also as far as Eastern Siberia.

Lifestyle

The lynx can silently move through the forest, chasing its favorite prey - the hare. The lynx is able to detect small animals even under a layer of snow or hear and see them in complete darkness. The prey of the red lynx is the American wild rabbit. When hunting for him, she relies more on sight than on hearing.

It feeds mainly on voles, squirrels, and other rodents, but occasionally attacks wild turkeys, domestic chickens, and even white-tailed deer and sheep.

The red lynx is able to detect small mammals even under the snow, where they hid in burrows. The lynx unmistakably finds its victims by barely audible sounds coming from under the snow. The number of red lynx and hares is always dependent on each other. When there are a lot of hares, then the lynx breeds well. As the number of hares decreases, so does the number of lynxes.

The fertility and reproduction of lynxes are determined and directly dependent on the abundance of food. When there are many rabbits, the lynx does not have to go far in search of prey. However, when there are not enough rabbits, the lynx can sometimes get into fights with other lynxes for food.

The breeding season is not confined to a strictly defined season, but mating usually occurs in the spring. Some females can bring 2 broods per year. The gestation period for a red lynx is only 50 days. There are usually 2, but sometimes 4 kittens in a litter.

Females are content with smaller territories than males. The male can occupy a territory that is three times larger than the habitat of two or even three females. Rival males rarely face each other. Their domains are marked with strong-smelling excrement and other secrets.

Their favorite hunting trails also replete with marks they make with urine. These marks serve as signals to other bobcats to stay away.

Titles: red lynx, red lynx.

area: southern North America (Canada to central Mexico, east to west coast USA).

Description: red lynx - is the most common wild cat on the North American continent. This is a typical small lynx, it has not too long legs and wide paws. There is no hair on the paws, the claws are retractable. Ear tufts are small. The fur is not too fluffy and warm, like the European lynx. Dental formula: I3/3, C1/1, P2/3, M1/1 x 2 = 30 teeth.

Color: reddish-brown with gray tint Numerous dark spots are scattered over the skin. On inside the tip of the tail has a white mark. The general color of the subspecies is different: lynxes living in the south have more black marks, while northern ones have fewer. There are completely black and white individuals.

Size: body length with tail 76-127 cm, height at withers 45-58 cm.

Weight: males 9-13 kg, females 5.5-9 kg

Lifespan: in nature up to 20 years, in captivity up to 30 years.

Habitat: varied - from swamps to rocky snowy areas, desert plains and canyons. Avoids too wet or dry areas.

Enemies: jaguar, puma, Canada lynx, coyote and wolf. Red lynx kittens are preyed upon by foxes and owls.

Food: the basis of the diet of the lynx is small rodents (voles, squirrels, mice, rats, ground squirrels, porcupines), hares (hares, rabbits) and birds. Additionally catches snakes, bats and insects. In times of famine, it can also attack young ungulates, eat carrion and steal carcasses from hunting traps. Occasionally eats plant foods (fruits).

Behavior: leads an earthly twilight lifestyle. It hunts in the evening and early in the morning. In winter, it also occurs during daylight hours.
The bobcat has favorite places to rest and trails that it constantly uses. It climbs trees well, but climbs them only in search of food and shelter.
Able to jump over high barriers. Vision and hearing are well developed. Hunts on the ground, sneaking up on prey. With its sharp claws, the lynx holds the victim and kills it with a bite to the base of the skull. In one sitting, an adult animal eats up to 1.4 kg of meat. The remaining surplus hides and returns to them the next day.
While walking, the red lynx places its hind legs exactly in the tracks left by the front legs. Soft cushions on the legs help to quietly sneak up on prey on close quarters.

social structure: outside the breeding season, the red lynx leads a solitary lifestyle.
It marks the boundaries of its hunting area with urine, feces and the secret of the skin glands. Leaves scratches on tree trunks with claws. The size of the plot depends on the amount of food available.

reproduction: a female can have up to two broods per year (in spring and late summer).
The female arranges a den for kittens in caves, heaps of stones or in the voids of trees. There is evidence that both parents are involved in raising offspring.

Season/breeding period: February-June.

Puberty: females per year, males at two years.

Pregnancy A: 50-70 days.

Offspring: up to 6 blind kittens in a litter (usually 2-4). The weight of newborns is up to 340 g. On the 10th day, the eyes open. Lactation lasts up to 8 weeks. Kittens gain weight by 25 g per day. From 3 to 5 months, kittens go hunting with their mother. At the age of 9 months, they are completely independent and acquire their own hunting ground.

Benefit / harm to humans: The bobcat causes damage by preying on domestic animals (sheep and birds). Because of this, local farmers kill them.
Fur is in demand and has commercial value.

Population/conservation status: The current population size is 725,000 - 1,000,000 mature individuals. The approximate area of ​​​​the range is more than 2,500,000 km 2. The species is listed in the CITES Convention (Appendix II).

There are 2 subspecies Felis Rufus: F. r. Baileyi- Northwestern Mexico, F. r. californicus- California, F. r. escuinapae- Mexico, F. r. fasciatus- Pacific Northwest coast of the USA and Canada, F. r. floridanus- Southeastern United States, F. r. giga- northeast USA, Canada, F. r. oaxacensis- Southern Mexico, F. r. pallescens- northwest USA, Canada, F. r. peninsularis- peninsula Baja (Mexico), F. r. Rufus- Northeast USA F. r. superiorensis- large lakes in the northern United States, F. r. texensis- Texas, northwestern Mexico.

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California ground cuckoo- a North American bird from the cuckoo family (Cuculidae). It lives in deserts and semi-deserts in the south and southwest of the United States and in northern Mexico.

Adult ground cuckoos reach a length of 51 to 61 cm, including the tail. They have a long, slightly curved beak. The head, crest, back and long tail are dark brown with light spots. The neck and belly are also light. The extremely long legs and long tail are adaptations for a desert-running lifestyle.

Most representatives of the cuckoo suborder keep in the crowns of trees and shrubs, fly well, and this species lives on the ground. Due to the peculiar composition of the body and long legs the cuckoo moves like a chicken. On the run, she stretches her neck somewhat, slightly opens her wings and raises her crest. Only when necessary, the bird takes off into the trees or flies over short distances.

The California ground cuckoo can reach speeds of up to 42 km/h. The special arrangement of the toes also helps her in this, since both outer toes are located back, and both inner ones are forward. She flies, however, because of her short wings very poorly and can stay in the air for only a few seconds.

The California ground cuckoo has evolved an unusual, energy-saving way to spend cold nights in the desert. At this time of day, her body temperature drops and she falls into a kind of immobile hibernation. On her back there are dark patches of skin that are not covered with feathers. In the morning, she spreads her feathers and exposes these areas of the skin to the sun, due to which the body temperature quickly returns to normal levels.

This bird spends most of its time on the ground and preys on snakes, lizards, insects, rodents and small birds. She is fast enough to kill even small vipers, which she grabs by the tail with her beak and beats her head on the ground like a whip. She swallows her prey whole. Own English title Road Runner (road runner) this bird received for the fact that it used to run after mail coaches and grab small animals disturbed by their wheels.

The earthen cuckoo fearlessly appears where other inhabitants of the desert are reluctant to penetrate - into the possession of rattlesnakes, since these poisonous reptiles, especially young ones, serve as prey for birds. The cuckoo usually attacks the snake, trying to hit it with a powerful long beak in the head. At the same time, the bird constantly bounces, evading the enemy's throws. Earthen cuckoos are monogamous: a pair is formed for the period of hatching, and both parents incubate the clutch and feed the cuckoos. Birds build a nest from twigs and dry grass in bushes or thickets of cacti. There are 3-9 white eggs in a clutch. Cuckoo chicks are fed exclusively with reptiles.

death valley

- the driest and hottest place in North America and a unique natural landscape in the southwestern United States (California and Nevada). It was in this place back in 1913 that the most heat on Earth: On July 10, near the miniature town of Furnace Creek, the thermometer showed +57 degrees Celsius.

Death Valley got its name from the settlers who crossed it in 1849, trying to reach the gold mines of California by the shortest route. The guidebook briefly reports that "some stayed in it forever." The dead were poorly prepared for the passage through the desert, did not stock up on water and lost their bearings. Before his death, one of them cursed this place, calling it Death Valley. The few survivors withered the meat of the mules on the wreckage of the dismantled wagons and reached the goal. They left behind "cheerful" geographical names: Death Valley, Burial Range, Last Chance Ridge, Coffin Canyon, Dead Man's Pass, Hell's Gate, Gorge Rattlesnake and etc.

Death Valley is surrounded by mountains on all sides. This is a seismically active region, the surface of which is shifting along fault lines. Huge blocks earth's surface move in the process of underground earthquakes, the mountains become higher, and the valley goes lower in relation to sea level. On the other hand, erosion is constantly occurring - the destruction of mountains as a result of the impact natural forces. Washed off from the surface of the mountains are small and large stones, minerals, sand, salts and clay fill the valley (now the level of these ancient layers is about 2,750 m). However, the intensity geological processes far exceeds the force of erosion, therefore, in the next million years, the tendency of "growth" of mountains and lowering of the valley will continue.


Badwater Basin is the lowest part of Death Valley, located at 85.5 m below sea level. Sometime after ice age Death Valley was a huge lake with fresh water. The local hot and dry climate contributed to the inevitable evaporation of water. Annual short-term, but very intense rains wash tons of minerals from the surface of the mountains into the lowlands. The salts remaining after the evaporation of the water settle to the bottom, reaching the highest concentration in the lowest place, in the Pond with bad water. Here, rainwater lingers longer, forming small temporary lakes. Once upon a time, the first settlers were surprised that their dehydrated mules refused to drink water from these lakes, and they marked "bad water" on the map. So this area got its name. In fact, the water in the pool (when it is) is not poisonous, but it tastes very salty. There are also their unique inhabitants, which are not found elsewhere: algae, aquatic insects, larvae, and even a mollusk named after its place of residence Badwater Snail.

In a vast area of ​​the valley, located below the level of the World Ocean, and once the bottom of a prehistoric lake, one can observe the amazing behavior of salt deposits. This area is divided into two different zones, differing in texture and shape of salt crystals. In the first case, salt crystals grow upwards, forming bizarre pointed heaps and labyrinths 30-70 cm high. They form an interesting foreground with their randomness, well emphasized by the rays of the low sun in the morning and evening hours. Sharp as knives, growing crystals on a hot day emit an ominous, unlike anything crack. This section of the valley is quite difficult to navigate, but it is better not to spoil this beauty.


Nearby is the lowest terrain in the Valley Badwater Basin. Salt behaves differently here. On an absolutely flat white surface, a uniform salt net 4-6 cm high is formed. The grid consists of figures, gravitating in shape to a hexagon, and covers the bottom of the Valley with a huge cobweb, creating an absolutely unearthly landscape.

In the southern part of Death Valley is a flat, flat clay plain - the bottom of the dried-up lake Racetrack Playa - called the Valley of moving stones (Racetrack Playa). According to the very phenomenon found in this area - "self-propelled" stones.

Sailing stones, also called sliding or crawling stones, are a geological phenomenon. The stones move slowly along the clay bottom of the lake, as evidenced by the long footprints left behind them. The stones move on their own without the help of living beings, but no one has ever seen or recorded the movement on camera. Similar stone movements have been noted in several other places, but in terms of the number and length of tracks, Racetrack Playa stands out from the rest.

In 1933, Death Valley was declared national monument, and in 1994 she received the status national park and the territory of the park was expanded to include another 500,000 hectares of land.


The territory of the park includes the Salina Valley, most of the Panamint Valley, as well as the territories of several mountain systems. Telescope Peak rises to the west, Dante’s View to the east, from which you can see beautiful view all over the valley.

There are many picturesque places here, especially on the slopes adjacent to the desert plain: the extinct Ubehebe volcano, the Titus canyon is deep. 300 m and a length of 20 km; a small lake with very salty water, in which a small shrimp lives; in the desert there are 22 species of unique plants, 17 species of lizards and 20 species of snakes. The park has a unique landscape. This is an unusual wild beautiful nature, graceful rock formations, snow-capped mountain peaks, scorching salty plateaus, shallow canyons, hills covered with millions of delicate flowers.

Coati- a mammal from the genus nosoha of the raccoon family. This mammal received its name for an elongated and very funny mobile stigma-nose.
Their head is narrow, their hair is short, their ears are round and small. On the edge of the inner side of the ears is a white rim. Nosukha is the owner of a very long tail, which is almost always in an upright position. With the help of the tail, the animal balances when moving. The characteristic color of the tail is the alternation of light yellow, brown and black rings.


The color of the nose is varied: from orange to dark brown. The muzzle is usually a uniform black or brown. On the muzzle, below and above the eyes, there are light spots. The neck is yellowish, the paws are painted black or dark brown.

the trap is elongated, the paws are strong with five fingers and non-retractable claws. With its claws, the nosuha digs the ground, getting food. The hind legs are longer than the front. The length of the body from the nose to the tip of the tail is 80-130 cm, the length of the tail itself is 32-69 cm. The height at the withers is about 20-29 cm. They weigh about 3-5 kg. Males are almost twice as large as females.

Nosoha live on average 7-8 years, but in captivity they can live up to 14 years. Live in tropical and subtropical forests South America and the southern United States. Their favorite place is dense bushes, low-lying forests, rocky terrain. Due to human intervention Lately noses prefer forest edges and clearings.

It is said that nosoha used to be called simply badgers, but since real badgers moved to Mexico, the true homeland of nosoha, this species has received its individual name.

Coatis move very interestingly and unusually on the ground, first they lean on the palms of their front paws, and then roll over with their hind legs forward. For this manner of walking, noses are also called plantigrade. Nosuhs are usually active during the day, most of which they spend on the ground in search of food, while at night they sleep in trees, which also serve to equip the den and give birth to offspring. When they are in danger on the ground, they hide from it on the trees; when the enemy is on a tree, they easily jump from the branch of one tree to the lower branch on the same or even another tree.

All noses, including coatis, are predators! Coatis get their food with their noses, diligently sniffing and groaning, they inflate the foliage in this way and look for termites, ants, scorpions, beetles, larvae under it. Sometimes it can also feed on land crabs, frogs, lizards, rodents. During the hunt, the coati clamps the victim with its paws and bites through its head. In difficult times of famine, nosuhi allow themselves vegetarian cuisine, they eat ripe fruits, which, as a rule, are always in abundance in the forest. Moreover, they do not make stocks, but return to the tree from time to time.

Nosoha live both in groups and alone. In groups of 5-6 individuals, sometimes their number reaches 40. In groups there are only females and young males. Adult males live alone. The reason for this is their aggressive attitude towards babies. They are expelled from the group and only return to mate.

Males usually lead a solitary life and only during the mating season do they join the family groups of females with young. In the mating season, and this is usually from October to March, one male is accepted into a group of females and young. All sexually mature females living in the group mate with this male, and soon after mating, he leaves the group.

In advance, before giving birth, a pregnant female leaves the group and is engaged in arranging a den for future offspring. Shelter is usually made in hollows in trees, in depressions in the soil, among stones, but most often in a rocky niche in a wooded canyon. The care of young people lies entirely on the female, the male does not take part in this.
As soon as the young males are two years old, they leave the group and continue to lead a solitary lifestyle, the females remain in the group.

Nosukha brings cubs once a year. Usually there are 2-6 cubs in a litter. Newborns weigh 100-180 grams and are completely dependent on the mother, who leaves the nest for a while to find food. The eyes open at about 11 days. For several weeks, the babies remain in the nest, and then leave it with their mother and join the family group.
Lactation lasts up to four months. Young coats remain with their mother until she begins to prepare for the birth of the next offspring.

Red Lynx- the most common wild cat North American continent. In general appearance, this is a typical lynx, but it is almost two times smaller than an ordinary lynx and not so long-legged and broad-legged. Its body length is 60-80 cm, height at the withers is 30-35 cm, weight is 6-11 kg. You can recognize a red lynx by its white

a mark on the inside of the black tip of the tail, smaller ear tufts and a lighter color. The fluffy fur can be reddish brown or grey. In Florida, even completely black individuals, the so-called "melanists", come across. The muzzle and paws of a wild cat are decorated with black marks.

You can meet a red lynx in dense subtropical forests or in desert places among prickly cacti, on high mountain slopes or in swampy lowlands. The presence of a person does not prevent her from appearing on the outskirts of villages or small towns. This predator chooses areas for itself where it is possible to feast on small rodents, nimble squirrels or shy rabbits and even prickly porcupines.

Although the bobcat is a good tree climber, it only climbs trees for food and shelter. It hunts at dusk, only young animals go hunting during the day.

Vision and hearing are well developed. Hunts on the ground, sneaking up on prey. With its sharp claws, the lynx holds the victim and kills it with a bite to the base of the skull. In one sitting, an adult animal eats up to 1.4 kg of meat. The remaining surplus hides and returns to them the next day.For rest, the red lynx chooses a new place every day, not lingering in the old one. It can be a crack in the rocks, a cave, a hollow log, a space under a fallen tree, etc. On the ground or snow, the red lynx takes a step about 25 - 35 cm long; the size of an individual footprint is about 4.5 x 4.5 cm. While walking, they place their hind legs exactly in the tracks left by their front paws. Because of this, they never make a very loud noise from the crackling of dry twigs under their feet. Soft pads on their feet help them to calmly sneak up to the animal at close range. Bobcats are good tree climbers and can also swim across small bodies of water, but they only do so on rare occasions.

The red lynx is a territorial animal. The lynx marks the boundaries of the site and its paths with urine and feces. In addition, she leaves marks of her claws on the trees. The male knows that the female is ready to mate by the smell of her urine. A mother with cubs is very aggressive towards any animal and person that threatens her kittens.

In the wild, males and females love to be alone, meeting only during the breeding season. The only time when individuals of different sexes are looking for a meeting is mating season, which falls at the end of winter - the beginning of spring. The male mates with all the females that are in the same area with him. Pregnancy of the female lasts only 52 days. The cubs are born in the spring, blind and helpless. At this time, the female tolerates the male only near the den. After about a week, the babies open their eyes, but for another eight weeks they stay with their mother and feed on her milk. The mother licks their fur and warms them with her body. The female bobcat is a very caring mother. In case of danger, she takes the kittens to another shelter.

When the cubs begin to take solid food, the mother allows the male to approach the lair. The male regularly brings food to the cubs and helps the female raise them. This kind of parenting is an unusual phenomenon for male wild cats. When the kids grow up, the whole family travels, stopping at a short time in various shelters of the hunting area of ​​the female. When the kittens are 4-5 months old, the mother begins to teach them hunting techniques. At this time, kittens play a lot with each other and, thanks to the games, they learn about various ways obtaining food, hunting and behavior in difficult situations. The cubs spend another 6-8 months with their mother (until the start of a new mating season).

A male bobcat often occupies an area of ​​100 km2, border areas can be common to several males. The area of ​​the female is half that. Within the territory of one male, 2-3 females usually live. A male red lynx, on whose territory three females with cubs often live, has to get food for 12 kittens.

Among the almost two and a half thousand species of higher plants found in the flora of the Sonoran Desert, the most widely represented are species from the family of Asteraceae, legumes, cereals, buckwheat, euphorbia, cactus and borage. A number of communities characteristic of the main habitats make up the vegetation of the Sonoran Desert.


Vegetation grows on extensive, slightly sloping alluvial fans, the main components of which are groups of creosote bush and ragweed. They also include several types of prickly pear, quinoa, acacia, fukeria, or okotilo.

On alluvial plains below alluvial fans, the vegetation cover mainly consists of sparse forest of mesquite trees. Their roots, penetrating into the depths, reach the groundwater, and the roots located in the surface layer of the soil, within a radius of up to twenty meters from the trunk, can intercept precipitation. An adult mesquite tree reaches a height of eighteen meters, and can be more than a meter wide. In modern times, only the pitiful remnants of the once majestic mesquite forests, long cut down for fuel, remain. The mesquite forest is very similar to the thickets of black saxaul in the Karakum Desert. The composition of the forest, in addition to the mesquite tree, includes clematis and acacia.

By the water, along the banks of the rivers, near the water, poplars are located, to which ash and Mexican elder are mixed. Plants such as acacia, creosote bush and celtis grow in the beds of the arroyo, drying up temporary streams, as well as on the adjacent plains. In the desert of Gran Desierto, near the coast of the Gulf of California, ambrosia and creosote bush predominate on sandy plains, and ephedra and tobosa, ragweed grow on sand dunes.

Trees grow here only on large dry channels. In the mountains, cacti and xerophilic shrubs are mainly developed, but the cover is very rare. Saguaro is quite rare (and completely absent in California) and its distribution here is again limited to channels. Annuals (mainly winter ones) make up almost half of the flora, and in the driest areas up to 90% species composition: they appear in huge numbers only in wet years.

In the Arizona Uplands, northwest of the Sonoran Desert, the vegetation is especially colorful and varied. A denser vegetation cover and a variety of vegetation are due here to more precipitation than in other areas of Sonora, as well as the ruggedness of the relief, a combination of steep slopes of different exposures and hills. A kind of cactus forest, in which the main place is occupied by a giant columnar saguaro cactus, with an undersized encelia shrub located between the cacti, is formed on gravelly soils with a large amount of fine earth. Also among the vegetation there are large barrel-shaped ferocactus, ocotillo, paloverde, several species of prickly pear, acacia, celtis, creosote bush, as well as mesquite tree, in floodplains.

The most common tree species here are foothill paloverde, ironwood, acacia and saguaro. Under the cover of these tall trees 3-5 tiers of shrubs and trees of different heights can be developed. The most characteristic cacti - high choya - form a real "cactus forest" on rocky areas.

With a peculiar look, such trees and bushes of the Sonoran Desert as an ivory tree, an iron tree and an idriya, or buoyum, growing only in two areas of the Sonoran Desert, located in Mexico, which is part of such a region as Latin America, attract attention.

A small area in the center of Sonora, which is a series of very wide valleys between mountain ranges. It has denser vegetation than the Arizona Highlands, as it receives more rain (mostly in summer) and the soils are thicker and finer. The flora is almost the same as in the highlands, but some tropical elements are added, since frosts are more rare and weak. A lot of leguminous trees, especially mesquite, few columnar cacti. On the hills there are isolated "islands" of thorny bushes. Much of the area has been converted to agricultural land in recent decades.

The Vizcaino area is located in the central third of the California Peninsula. Precipitation is scarce, but the air is cool, as moist sea breezes often bring fog, which weakens the aridity of the climate. Rain falls mainly in winter and averages less than 125 mm. Here in the flora there are some very unusual plants, bizarre landscapes are characteristic: fields of white granite boulders, cliffs of black lavas, etc. interesting plants- bujamy, elephant tree, 30 m high cordon, throttling ficus growing on rocks and blue palm. In contrast to the main Vizcaino Desert, the Vizcaino Coastal Plain is a flat, cool, foggy desert with 0.3 m high shrubs and fields of annuals.

District Magdalena located south of Vizcaino on the California Peninsula and appearance resembles Vizcaino, but the flora is slightly different. Most of the meager rainfall occurs in the summer, when the Pacific breeze blows off the sea. The only noticeable plant on the pale Magdalena Plain is the creeping devil cactus (Stenocereus eruca), but away from the coast on the rocky slopes the vegetation is quite dense and consists of trees, shrubs and cacti.


Riverside communities are usually isolated bands or islands of deciduous forests along temporary streams. There are very few permanent or drying streams (the largest is the Colorado River), but there are many where water appears for only a couple of days or even a few hours a year. Dry channels, or "washes", arroyo - "arroyos" are places where many trees and shrubs are concentrated. Xerophilic light forests along dry channels are very variable. Near-pure mesquite forest occurs along some temporary streams, while others may be dominated by blue paloverde or ironwood, or a mixed forest develops. The so-called "desert willow" is characteristic, which is actually a catalpa.

Red Lynx- a loner, and if she turned out to be your totem, it is possible that you also prefer solitude. The red lynx teaches to stay alone without feeling alone. The females of this animal, as a rule, live within a small territory, but the males lead a lifestyle close to nomadic: on average, each male enters the territory of five to six females. The mating season of red lynxes falls at the end of winter, after which the couple breaks up.

If the red lynx is your totem, then it is possible that friends are used to telling you their secrets. You should never betray their trust. This will entail dire consequences and, most likely, will be quickly discovered.

Pay Special attention on the tail of a red lynx. In general, the tail is symbolically associated with sexual energies. The tail or tip of the tail is the seat of the life force. The bobcat's tail tip is black and the underside of the tail is white. This reflects the ability to "turn on" and "turn off" the creative forces at will.

These features also connect the lynx with some form of sexual magic and sex mysticism. Operating under cover of darkness and silence, the bobcat will teach you how to use vitality to achieve their goals silently and efficiently. It is very important to learn when, to whom and how much you can talk about your personal affairs. Anyone associated with the red lynx should be especially careful in their communication. You may not be understood at all or misunderstood completely. What appears white to you may be perceived as black by others, and vice versa.

Keen eyesight and sensitive hairs in the "whiskers" and on the "tassels" of the ears make the red lynx an excellent night hunter. If she has become your totem, then night time will be the most productive for you. These characteristics connect the bobcat with most forms of psychic ability. The keen eyes of the bobcat will teach you to distinguish what other people are trying to hide. The sensitive "whiskers" of this totem will give you the ability to psychometry: by bringing an object to your face, you will be able to capture the energies of people and events associated with it. And the "tassels" on the ears of the red lynx correlate with the ability to hear what is left unspoken.

If the red lynx turned out to be your totem, then it is possible that many people will become uncomfortable next to you. They will understand that you see what they do not want to show you, and hear what they diligently keep silent about. These abilities can turn you into both a skilled diplomat and a consummate manipulator. If a red lynx has entered your life as a totem, look for hidden meanings in current events. Not everything is as simple as it seems at first glance. Trust your feelings and impressions. If something seems wrong to you, do not doubt your conclusions - even if they are contrary to common sense.

The red lynx sees well in the dark and is endowed with acute hearing. People associated with this totem sometimes become real hermits: noticing so much dirt and garbage in those around them, they are disappointed in all of humanity. However, by no means is it possible to completely withdraw into oneself. By meditating on the tarot card called The Hermit, you will know when to be alone and when to go out. This card will help you tune into the energies of this totem.


red lynx caracal

The bobcat is found throughout the United States, but its numbers have declined sharply. She arranges a dwelling for herself under rocky ledges and among stone embankments. The symbolic meaning of such a habitat should be carefully examined (refer to chapter 5 of our book for a start). The red lynx does not run very fast, but it is able to cover in a jump a distance of eighty meters to two and a half. The basis of its diet are rabbits and woodchucks, and you should also study these animals carefully.

Red lynx cubs are born in spring; There can be up to four lynxes in a litter. The mother starts their training early, and after seven months, young lynxes are able to hunt alone, and at the age of nine months they leave the family and go in search of a suitable territory for themselves.


Canadian red lynx

If the bobcat has become your totem, it means that you have to take a formal or informal course of study in some new field. Within seven to ten months, you will acquire a new skill. People associated with the red lynx as a totem animal usually learn quickly and thoroughly. If you have children, you should start teaching them as early as possible. In the question of how best to do this, rely on your intuition. Then your children will grow up strong and independent.

If the red lynx has entered your life as a totem, ask yourself the following important questions. Have you become a recluse? Do you feel the need to acquire new knowledge and skills? Perhaps you (or someone close to you) are acting carelessly and recklessly? Do you trust your inner voice? Does the appearance of the people you deal with deceive you? The bobcat is sure to teach you that true power and strength comes from silence.

Ted Andrews "Animal Language"

Detachment - Predators

Family - feline

Genus/Species - Felis Rufus

Basic data:

DIMENSIONS

Length: 50-80 cm, tail 15 cm.

Height at withers: 50-60 cm.

Weight: on average 6 kg, some individuals can reach 16 kg.

BREEDING

Puberty: since the year; males take part in mating not earlier than from two years.

Mating period: February March; females sometimes bring offspring twice a year.

Pregnancy: 52 days.

Number of cubs: 2-4.

LIFESTYLE

Habits: loners; active at night.

Lifespan: in captivity for over 30 years.

RELATED SPECIES

28 other species of small wild cats, including the domestic cat.

Red lynx, which is able to easily adapt, can be found almost everywhere: in mountainous areas and forest-steppes, in subtropical swamps and among cactus thickets. Only among the open steppe, devoid of high vegetation, does the red lynx feel uncomfortable.

FOOD

The diet of the red lynx consists of two-thirds of hares and rabbits. The rest are mostly small rodents, such as squirrels and mice. Sometimes lynxes also prey on deer, sheep or goats, and even domestic dogs and cats. The red lynx rushes at the prey from behind. Approaching the prey at a fairly short distance, the predator silently jumps on it, and, knocking it to the ground, kills it. The red lynx grabs its prey by the throat with its teeth and does not let it go until the victim dies. With its strong teeth, the lynx bites the victim's carotid artery and breaks the neck. With small prey, the red lynx is played like a cat with a mouse.

HABITS

The red lynx is a nocturnal animal. She usually goes hunting at dusk. In the north at winter time the red lynx also hunts during the day, since it does not have enough food during this period. The red lynx is a territorial animal. The lynx marks the boundaries of the site and its paths with urine and feces. In addition, she leaves marks of her claws on the trees. The male knows that the female is ready to mate by the smell of her urine. A mother with cubs is very aggressive towards any animal and person that threatens her kittens.

BREEDING

The only time when individuals of different sexes look for meetings is the mating season, which falls at the end of winter - the beginning of spring. The male mates with all the females that are in the same area with him. Pregnancy of the female lasts only 52 days. The cubs are born in the spring, blind and helpless. At this time, the female tolerates the male only near the den. After about a week, the babies open their eyes, but for another eight weeks they stay with their mother and feed on her milk. The mother licks their fur and warms them with her body. The female bobcat is a very caring mother. In case of danger, she takes the kittens to another shelter.

When the cubs begin to take solid food, the mother allows the male to approach the lair. The male regularly brings food to the cubs and helps the female raise them. Such parental care is unusual for male feral cats. When the babies grow up, the whole family travels, stopping for a short time in various shelters of the female's hunting area. When the kittens are 4-5 months old, the mother begins to teach them hunting techniques. At this time, kittens play a lot with each other and through games they learn about different ways of obtaining food, hunting and behavior in difficult situations. The cubs spend another 6-8 months with their mother (until the start of a new mating season).

DO YOU KNOW WHAT...

  • Raised by people, bobcats are tamed and become pets, they even allow their owners to pet them.
  • The red lynx goes hunting during the day only during the winter period.
  • The red lynx swims well, but rarely voluntarily enters the water. The exception is hot sunny days, at this time, the lynx, in order to cool off, plunges into the water up to the very neck.
  • The English name for the bobcat refers to its curly, short tail.
  • The farther to the north of the range, the larger the lynxes that are found there.

RED LYNX AREA

A male bobcat often occupies an area of ​​100 km 2, border areas can be common to several males. The area of ​​the female is half that. Within the territory of one male, 2-3 females usually live. A male red lynx, on whose territory three females with cubs often live, has to get food for 12 kittens.


- Range of red lynx

LIVING PLACE

The bobcat is found in North America from southern Canada to southern Mexico.

PRESERVATION

The red lynx is the most common wild cat in North America, although it is still hunted in the north for its fur and for sport. The Mexican subspecies is threatened with extinction.