Species of the Month

We're still in Old Man Winter's icy grip for at least another month, so it's the perfect time to feature another critter that thrives in cold, snowy weather. This month we'll take a look at the elusive Canada lynx.

Canada lynx slinking among the vine maples

Scientific name: Lynx canadensis

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)

Class: Mammalia (mammals)

Order: Carnivora (carnivores)

Range: Circumpolar- Canada, northern US 

Habitat: Forest and tundra

Lifespan: Up to 14.5 years

Diet: Snowshoe hares, rodents, birds, fish, carrion

Predators: None known though bears and wolves may prey on kittens

Conservation Status: Listed as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act and endangered by the state of Michigan

The giant feet are visible in this shot (USFWS)

Other Information: The lynx is known for its intricate relationship with the snowshoe hare. The lynx population fluctuates in response to that of the snowshoe hare, with the lynx lagging by about a year in a nine year cycle of boom and crash. The lynx may as well be known as a snowshoe bobcat, as they are similar in appearance. The lynx has large feet that work as snowshoes, allowing it to hunt in the deepest snow. Another difference between the cats is the longer tufts of ear hair on the lynx. Litters are commonly two or three kittens, born April to June. They stay with the mother until the following mating season, almost a year later. Lynxes are solitary creatures, and are mainly nocturnal hunters. While smaller animals are their main prey, they will take a sick or injured deer if the opportunity presents itself.

This shot offers a better view of the ear hair (USFS)

This week's information comes from the University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web.

Species of the Month

Up on the rooftop click click click, down through the chimney it's the species of the month! Christmas is right around the corner, so it’s time for another festive species of the month. The caribou is the wild version of the domesticated reindeer. Santa’s herd is safe, but their wild counterparts face habitat loss and in some areas have been hunted to extinction.

Woodland caribou

Scientific name: Rangifer tarandus

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)

Class: Mammalia (mammals)

Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)

Range: Circumpolar- Canada, northwestern US, Greenland, northern Europe

Habitat: Arctic tundra and boreal forest

Lifespan: 4.5 years on average

Diet: Leaves, bark, lichen, mushrooms

Predators: Bears and wolves

Conservation Status: Endangered (US), IUCN Species of Least Concern

Lighter colored tundra caribou (NPS)

Other Information: Caribou are the only deer species featuring antlered females. Not all females grow antlers, however. Male antlers are larger and more intricate. Males use theirs in sparring during the rut. Like other deer species, mating is controlled by a dominant bull who fends of younger challengers. The fights leave males injured and/or exhausted and vulnerable to predators. Domesticated reindeer have been used as beasts of burden and for food for thousands of years. There are several subspecies of caribou. Northern caribou are nearly white and smaller than their southern counterparts. In North America, the woodland caribou is a dark brown and critically endangered. Just a handful lived in the wild in Washington and Idaho. Recently, they were all captured and sent to a secure area in British Columbia to protect them from predators in the hopes that their population will increase. Caribou hooves are very large and concave, serving as snowshoes.

Caribou hoof (Where To Next)

The size and shape also aid in swimming. Caribou migrate long distances and must cross many rivers. When walking, they make a loud clicking sound, caused by a foot tendon rubbing on bone.

Information once again comes from the good people at Michigan’s AnimalDiversity Web.

Domestic reindeer (The Nature Conservancy)

Species of the Month

January has been a snowy month for me, so it seems fitting that the Species of the Month be equally snowy. A few weeks ago we learned about the snowy owl, but now we’ll look at another white bird from the cold, snowy north- the snow goose.

Scientific name: Anser caerulescens

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)

Class:   Aves (birds)

Order: Anseriformes (ducks, geese, and swans)

Range: Summer range is eastern Arctic Canada and Greenland; winter range is Gulf Coast and Midwest states. They don’t fly nonstop, so there is migratory habitat in between.

Habitat: Tundra, marshes, tide flats, prairies, farmland

Lifespan: 20 years, on average

Diet: Roots, grasses, sedges

Predators: Arctic foxes, jaegers, eagles

Conservation Status: No special conservation status

Other Information: The snow goose has two color morphs, white and dark gray (known as blue goose). Blue goose was originally considered a separate species. Snow geese are a popular game bird. Due to rising populations, they are considered an agricultural pest in some areas. The black mark on the bill is sometimes referred to as lipstick or the grin patch. They mate for life. The female incubates the eggs while the male stands guard over her. They sometimes nest near snowy owls, which may deter predators. Nesting colonies can contain tens of thousands of birds. The snow goose is model for the National Wildlife Refuge System's logo.

National Wildlife Refuge System's logo

This week's information comes from University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web. Photos are from Missouri Department of Conservation, except the logo.

Snow goose

Blue goose color morph

Thousands of snow geese in flight