I managed to get a bit of time from my studies to read about the Cheetah and Lynx. They are fashinating felines - I really enjoyed reading about them and writing this third article, I hope you enjoy it too and find it interesting.
If you want to get "up to date", even though not nessessary, you can read the first article here and the second here.


"Concervation Status" [link] in decreasing order:

- Least Concern > Near Threatned

> Threatned > Vulnerable > Endagered > Critically Endagered

> Extinct in the Wild > Extinct

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Family: Felidae (cats)
Subfamily: Felinae (small to medium sized cats)
Genus: Acinonyx

Cheetah - Acinonyx jubatus

These uniquely structured animals are known for their speed, reaching 114km/h (71 miles/h). They are found in Africa in small populations, which is responsible for their vulnerable status; they are experiencing inter-breeding, meaning that they are nearly clones of each others - a very big for conservation. This is the only species of Cheetah, from five that managed to survive until today.



The King Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) is an interesting issue. It is not a sub-species, but a rare mutation from the “original” Cheetah, only differentiating from one recessive gene (they still breed with each other). They are known from their unique coat patterns when comparing with the normal Cheetah. This gives hope for scientists, as it means that Cheetahs may be getting genetic diversity.



These cat species do not meow nor roar, but they chirp and squeak to communicate with each other. But as domestic cats, they purr to show contentment and growl to show aggression.



For more information about them, keep reading the Cheetah’s profile in Lion Crusher.

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Family: Felidae (cats)
Subfamily: Felinae (small to medium sized cats)
Genus: Lynx ( = to shine)

Canadian Lynx – Lynx canadensis

Found in North America, this lynx species is smaller than a Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx). The Canadian lynx also has a spotted coat, as other lynx species, however they are not as visible or distinct. Actually it seems that have none as they have a thick grayish colored fur, which sometimes seem to be “frosted” due to the white tips of its fur.



As they live in areas with a lot of snow, this species have unusually large paws which act as snow shoes, and very long legs to make them appear larger than what they really are.



They are classified as least concern. For more information read here.

Eurasian Lynx – Lynx lynx

Found in Northern Europe and in large parts of Asia, these beautiful creatures were nearly extinct in mid-1900 because of their soft fur and their habitats being destroyed. They have tried to remove these cats from popular areas into deep forests of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Due to the lack of natural prey, they have ended up feeding on cattle. In their natural habitat, they are so dependent on their prey, that their population fluctuates parallel with their prey, which are mostly small animals (mice, squirrels and birds).



They are in the least concern list with a stable population.
I recommend you to hear what they sound like here, and you can also see other information about them.

Iberian Lynx – Lynx pardinus

A native Spanish lynx, which is uncertain if they are still around Portugal, are critically endangered since 2002 – so endangered that if they got extinct, they would be the first feline to get wiped out since prehistoric times!



There are only two known breeding populations in Spain with a population between 84 to 143 adults in total. As they are both very isolated, it becomes very vulnerable, because like the Cheetah, they have little genetic variation.

Unlike the other two species described before, these like scrubby areas, but their appearance is very similar to that of a Eurasian lynx, the only difference being that they are a little smaller, have more distinct leopard-like spots on their coat and have is more cat-faced. Actually they look more a like a Bobcat!



They are specialised feeders, only feeding in a rabbit species; however, they have been found heating other animals like hare, birds and deer. Their population is declining because of the decline in the population of their primary prey because of disease or over-hunting. They have also become vulnerable because of habitat destruction and fragmentation.

Bobcat - Lynx rufus

It is half the size of a Canadian lynx, which in turn is half the size of a Eurasian lynx. They are distinguished from other lynxes by the coloration and markings on the top half of its tail, and white on the underside; lynxes have a tail with a black tip. Their tufts on the ends of their ears are smaller, and their “sideburns” are not as outstanding as that of the lynxes. Even though smaller, Bobcats are more aggressive and harder to tame.



These around found in any many areas in America, from north to south. They are prey for the puma [link] and the jaguar.



Bobcats are listed as least concern.

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Thank you for reading and showing interest

Felines for Deviants 1: Small cats (Felis)

Felines for Deviants 2: Small asian cats (Prionailurus) and Puma (Puma).