---
title: "Canada Lynx"
description: "Lynx canadensis — Mammals. The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) or Canadian lynx is one of the four living species in the genus Lynx."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/animal/canada-lynx
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Canada Lynx

> Lynx canadensis — Mammals. The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) or Canadian lynx is one of the four living species in the genus Lynx.

- Scientific name: *Lynx canadensis*
- Category: `mammals` (Mammals)
- Habitats: `forest` (Forest)
- iNaturalist observations: 2689
- Wikidata: [Q146457](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q146457)
- iNaturalist taxon: [41974](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/41974)

## Names

- en: Canada Lynx
- de: Kanadischer Luchs
- es: Línce Canadiense
- fr: Lynx du Canada
- nl: Canadese lynx
- pt: Lince-do-canadá
- pl: Ryś kanadyjski

## Countries with the most observations

CA (1433), US (512)

## Summary

The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) or Canadian lynx is one of the four living species in the genus Lynx. It is a medium-sized wild cat characterized by long, dense fur, triangular ears with black tufts at the tips, and broad, snowshoe-like paws. Its hindlimbs are longer than the forelimbs, so its back slopes downward to the front. The Canada lynx stands 48–56 cm (19–22 in) tall at the shoulder and weighs between 5 and 17 kg (11 and 37 lb). It is a good swimmer and an agile climber.
The Canada lynx was first described by Robert Kerr in 1792. Three subspecies have been proposed, but their validity is doubted; it is mostly…

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_lynx

## Photo

![Canada Lynx](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/canada-lynx/medium.jpg)

Photo: Thompson Hyggen · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182396729

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/canada-lynx?lang=en` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).