Wildlife Biology: Canada Lynx and Cougars

Wildlife Biodiversity - Mammals

• Carnivores: A class of mammals including 270 species, not all solely flesh-eaters.
• Predominant carnivores: Weasels and cats consume a diverse range of foods, and are the most carnivorous. Males typically larger than females.
• Geographic Distribution: Found on all continents and oceans.
• Important Roles in Ecosystems: Top-down predators regulating prey populations and impacting disease control. Feared, persecuted, and exploited by humans for centuries.
• Cougar/Mountain Lion:
  • The largest wild cat in the Americas.
  • Fur color varies from buffy-grey to tawny/cinnamon.
  • Underparts are dull, dirty-white
  • Black markings (chest, throat, muzzle, and back of ears).
  • Very long tail (more than half the length of the body).
  • Ambush predators, preying on ungulates like deer, mountain sheep, goats, wapiti, moose, beavers, and porcupines.
  • Cache food.
  • Can starve in winters without available prey.
  • Endemic to the Americas, extirpated from Eastern North America but recent sightings suggest range expansion. Florida panther a critically endangered subspecies.
  • Alberta cougar population tripled in the previous decade.
• Canada Lynx:
  • Medium-sized mesocarnivore.
  • Short-tailed with long stilt-legs.
  • Large, well-furred feet for snowshoeing/silent travel in forests.
  • Ears tipped with black "elfish" hairs.
  • Long facial ruffs and hairs on thighs.
  • Black-tipped tail.
  • Solitary hunters.
  • Primary prey is snowshoe hare (populations cycle).
  • Also consumes red squirrels, grouse, and rodents.
  • Very fast; use ambush/chase hunting.
• Bobcat:
  • Tawny or yellowish-brown coat with dark horizontal stripes on the breast and limbs.
  • Sides are spotted with dark brown.
  • Two black bars across each cheek.
  • Shorter ear tufts (<2.5 cm).
  • White chin and throat.
  • Short tail, white underneath, black above.
  • Rare sightings.
  • Rarely show claw marks in tracks.
  • Inhabit forests and brushy areas where Canada lynx is absent (competitive exclusion).
  • Ambush predators: sandstone ledges, brushy valleys.
  • Prey includes cottontail, squirrels, mice, beavers, skunks, and birds.
• Weasels (Mustelidae):
  • Largest family in Carnivora (56 species).
  • Inhabit all continents except Antarctica and Australia
  • Terrestrial, aquatic, and marine
  • Well-developed scent glands.
  • Mostly solitary, except river otters.
  • Both diurnal and nocturnal.
  • Valued for pest control.
  • ~38% threatened (IUCN).
  • Least weasel: 8 inches; 2.5 ounces; short tail, white feet.
  • Short-tailed weasel: 13 inches; 6 ounces; black tipped tail; white feet.
  • Long-tailed weasel: 16 inches; 12 ounces; brown feet; black tip.
• American Mink:
  • Prized for dark brown or black fur (often farmed).
  • Usually have white spots on their chin, chest, and belly.
  • Cylindrical tail similar to the river otter.
  • Smelliest weasel but cannot spray.
• Black-footed Ferret:
  • Heavier body than other weasels.
  • White (creamy) body with dark markings on legs, mask, snout, forehead and back.
  • Once widespread in the Great Plains and thought to be extinct but rediscovered in 1981.
  • Now in captive breeding programs with releases.
  • Typically found near prairie dog towns.
• Wolverine:
  • Resembles a small bear or skunk.
  • Marks territory with feces, urine, scent from anal glands.
  • Largest weasel; stocky, long legs; long bushy tail; long hair.
  • Dark brown to black with buffy stripes down flanks.
  • Lighter forehead; dark muzzle.
  • Scavengers in winter; excellent sense of smell and powerful jaws to break bones of large animals.
  • Valuable fur (doesn't collect frost).
  • Travels long distances.
• American Badger:
  • Long, yellowish-grey grizzled hair (longer on sides and flanks).
  • Short legs and pigeon-toed.
  • Three long central claws on front feet.
  • White stripe on forehead.
  • White cheek patches.
  • Short bushy tail, dorso-ventrally flattened.
  • Inhabit open prairies, parklands, and grasslands.
  • Keystone species; soil nutrient cycling and ground squirrel control.
  • Create burrows for other prairie wildlife.
  • Subspecies jacksoni (Ontario) and jeffersonii (British Columbia), both are endangered.
• Northern River Otter:
  • Dark brown dorsally, black when wet.
  • Paler below, often with silver-grey throat.
  • Broad, flat head.
  • Swims quickly using undulating body movements (using hind legs and tail).
  • Valved ears and nostrils.
  • Conical, tapered tail.
  • Similar to, social & playful, unlike most weasels.
• Skunks (Mephitidae):
  • Formerly considered weasels, now a separate family.
  • Distinct, boldly marked fur (unlike most weasels).
  • Defensive musk spray.
• Striped Skunk:
  • Black and white stripes down the back that meet at the head and tail.
  • White forehead stripe.
  • Variable white patterns on the bushy tail.
  • Housecat-sized.
  • Tolerant of humans;
  • Nocturnal; omnivores (insects/arthropods largest portion of diet)
  • Prey for Great-horned owls, sometimes fishers.
• Raccoons (Procyonidae):
  • Omnivorous.
  • Excellent climbers and dexterous hands.
  • Successful in urban areas.
• Common Raccoon:
  • Brownish-grey coat; light grey-brown underparts.
  • Bushy tail with alternating dark rings.
  • Black mask and white eyebrows.
  • Thousands more hand-finger nerves than humans.
  • Wash food (enhances sense of touch).
  • Long winters often an ecological barrier but spreading via trucks/trains/rivers

Wildlife Biodiversity Review

This covers various aspects of the carnivore family (Mustelae) and other related species, including American badgers, northern river otters, and skunks.

Test your knowledge on the Canada lynx and cougars in this wildlife biology quiz. Explore their diets, physical features, behaviors, and the ecological roles they play. Ideal for students and nature enthusiasts eager to learn more about these fascinating carnivores.