The Lynx may be found in all over the world, in various sizes and forms. They are known as the Spanish Lynx (Lynx pardinus), the Bobcat/Wildcat (Lynx rufus), the Northern Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) and the Canada Lynx (Lynx canadansis). The Canada Lynx is the largest of the variety in North America, growing up to 4 feet long (excluding the short tail) and weighing up to 40 pounds. However, it is the Bobcat that is most commonly found in North America.

Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the Lynx is the tuft of hair on the tip of each ear, growing up to one inch long! The beautiful animal also looks like it sports a shaggy beard. These big cats enjoy mature forests or dense shrubs of the northern hemisphere. Their darker chestnut colored fur is usually on the top and sides of the animal, with the lighter colored fur protecting their long legs and underside.

Population of the Lynx is declining in many areas of the world. In fact, the Iberian Lynx (found in Spain and Portugal) is classified by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species* as "Critically Endangered" with an "extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future…" **

Although PoshPelts™ has commemorated the chestnut colored Iberian Lynx in our faux fur throw and pillow cover; the large cat can be seen in many different shades, depending on what species it is and where it lives.

*International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

**Cat Specialist Group 2001. Lynx pardinus. In: IUCN 2003. 2003 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Information retrieved on September 23, 2004 from www.redlist.org.