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A ( plural or lynxes) is any of the four species (the Canada lynx, Iberian lynx, Eurasian lynx, or bobcat) within the medium-sized wild cat genus Lynx. The name lynx originated in Middle English via Latin from the Greek word λύγξ, derived from the Indo-European root leuk- ('light, brightness') in reference to the luminescence of its reflective eyes.

Appearance

Lynx have a short tail, characteristic tufts of black hair on the tips of their ears, large, padded paws for walking on snow and long whiskers on the face. Under their neck, they have a ruff, which has black bars resembling a bow tie, although this is often not visible.

Body colour varies from medium brown to goldish to beige-white, and is occasionally marked with dark brown spots, especially on the limbs. All species of lynx have white fur on their chests, bellies and on the insides of their legs, fur which is an extension of the chest and belly fur. The lynx's colouring, fur length and paw size vary according to the climate in their range. In the Southwestern United States, they are short-haired, dark in colour and their paws are smaller and less padded. As climates get colder and more northerly, lynx have progressively thicker fur, lighter colour, and their paws are larger and more padded to adapt to the snow.

The smallest species are the bobcat and the Canada lynx, while the largest is the Eurasian lynx, with considerable variations within species.

Species

Sex

Weight

Length

Height (standing at shoulders)

Eurasian lynx

males

18 to 30 kg (40 to 66 lb)

81 to 129 cm (32 to 51 in)

70 cm (28 in)

females

18 kg (40 lb)

Canada lynx

Both

8 to 14 kilograms (18 to 31 lb)

90 cm (35 in)

48 to 56 cm (19 to 22 in)

Iberian lynx

males

12.9 kg (28 lb)

85 to 110 cm (33 to 43 in)

60 to 70 cm (24 to 28 in)

females

9.4 kg (21 lb)

Bobcat

males

7.3 to 14 kg (16 to 31 lb)

71 to 100 cm (28 to 39 in)

51 to 61 cm (20 to 24 in)

females

9.1 kg (20 lb)

The four living species of the genus Lynx are believed to have evolved from Lynx issiodorensis, which lived in Europe and Africa during the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene. The Pliocene felid Felis rexroadensis from North America has been proposed as an even earlier ancestor; however, this was larger than any living species, and is not currently classified as a true lynx.

Eurasian lynx

Of the four lynx species, the Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx) is the largest in size. It is native to European, Central Asian, and Siberian forests. While its conservation status has been classified as " least concern", populations of Eurasian lynx have been reduced or extirpated from much of Europe, where it is now being reintroduced. During the summer, the Eurasian lynx has a relatively short, reddish or brown coat which is replaced by a much thicker silver-grey to greyish-brown coat during winter. The lynx hunts by stalking and jumping on its prey, helped by the rugged, forested country in which it resides. A favorite prey for the lynx in its woodland habitat is roe deer. It will feed however on whatever animal appears easiest, as it is an opportunistic predator much like its cousins.

Canada lynx

The Canada lynx ( Lynx canadensis), or Canadian lynx, is a North American felid that ranges in forest and tundra regions across Canada and into Alaska, as well as some parts of the northern United States. Historically, the Canadian lynx ranged from Alaska across Canada and into many of the northern U.S. states. In the eastern states, it resided in the transition zone in which boreal coniferous forests yielded to deciduous forests. By 2010, after an 11-year effort, it had been successfully reintroduced into Colorado, where it had become extirpated in the 1970s. In 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated the Canada lynx a threatened species in the lower 48 states.

The Canada lynx is a good climber and swimmer; it constructs rough shelters under fallen trees or rock ledges. It has a thick coat and broad paws, and is twice as effective as the bobcat at supporting its weight on the snow. The Canada lynx feeds almost exclusively on snowshoe hares; its population is highly dependent on the population of this prey animal. It will also hunt medium-sized mammals and birds if hare numbers fall.

Iberian lynx

The Iberian lynx ( Lynx pardinus) is an endangered species native to the Iberian Peninsula in Southern Europe. It was the most endangered cat species in the world, but conservation efforts have changed its status from critical to endangered. According to the Portuguese conservation group SOS Lynx, if this species dies out, it will be the first feline extinction since the 10,000 years ago. The species used to be classified as a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx, but is now considered a separate species. Both species occurred together in central Europe in the Pleistocene epoch, being separated by habitat choice. The Iberian lynx is believed to have evolved from Lynx issiodorensis.

The bobcat ( Lynx rufus) is a North American wild cat. With 13 recognized subspecies, the bobcat is common throughout southern Canada, the continental United States, and northern Mexico. Like the Eurasian lynx, its conservation status is "least concern." The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits deciduous, coniferous, or mixed woodlands, but unlike other Lynx, does not depend exclusively on the deep forest, and ranges from swamps and desert lands to mountainous and agricultural areas, its spotted coat serving as camouflage. The population of the bobcat depends primarily on the population of its prey. Nonetheless, the bobcat is often killed by larger predators such as coyotes.

The bobcat resembles other species of the genus Lynx, but is on average the smallest of the four. Its coat is variable, though generally tan to grayish brown, with black streaks on the body and dark bars on the forelegs and tail. The ears are black-tipped and pointed, with short, black tufts. There is generally an off-white color on the lips, chin, and underparts. Bobcats in the desert regions of the southwest have the lightest-colored coats, while those in the northern, forested regions have the darkest.

Behavior and diet

The lynx is usually solitary, although a small group of lynx may travel and hunt together occasionally. Mating takes place in the late winter and once a year the female gives birth to between one and four kittens. The gestation time of the lynx is about 70 days. The young stay with the mother for one more winter, a total of around nine months, before moving out to live on their own as young adults. The lynx creates its den in crevices or under ledges. It feeds on a wide range of animals from white-tailed deer, reindeer, roe deer, small red deer, and chamois, to smaller, more usual prey: snowshoe hares, fish, foxes, sheep, squirrels, mice, turkeys and other birds, and goats. It also eats ptarmigans, voles, and grouse.

Distribution and habitat

The lynx inhabits high altitude forests with dense cover of shrubs, reeds, and tall grass. Although this cat hunts on the ground, it can climb trees and can swim swiftly, catching fish.

Europe and Asia

The Eurasian lynx ranges from central and northern Europe across Asia up to Northern Pakistan and India. In Iran, they live in Mount Damavand area. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the Eurasian lynx was considered extinct in the wild in Slovenia and Croatia. A resettlement project, begun in 1973, has successfully reintroduced lynx to the Slovenian Alps and the Croatian regions of Gorski Kotar and Velebit, including Croatia's Plitvice Lakes National Park and Risnjak National Park. In both countries, the lynx is listed as an endangered species and protected by law. The lynx was distributed throughout Japan during Jōmon period; with no paleontological evidence thereafter suggesting extinction at that time.

Several lynx resettlement projects begun in the 1970s have been successful in various regions of Switzerland. Since the 1990s, there have been numerous efforts to resettle the Eurasian lynx in Germany, and since 2000, a small population can now be found in the Harz mountains near Bad Lauterberg.

The lynx is found in the Białowieża Forest in northeastern Poland, in Estonia and in the northern and western parts of China, particularly the Tibetan Plateau. In Romania, the numbers exceed 2,000, the largest population in Europe outside of Russia, although most experts consider the official population numbers to be overestimated.

The lynx is more common in northern Europe, especially in Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Finland, and the northern parts of Russia. The Swedish population is estimated to be 1200-1500 individuals, spread all over the country, but more common in middle Sweden and in the mountain range. The lynx population in Finland was 1900-2100 individuals in 2008, and the numbers have been increasing every year since 1992. The lynx population in Finland is estimated currently to be larger than ever before. Lynx in Britain were wiped out in the 17th century, but there have been calls to reintroduce them to curb the numbers of deer.

The endangered Iberian lynx lives in southern Spain and formerly in eastern Portugal. There is an Iberian lynx reproduction center outside Silves in the Algarve in southern Portugal.

North America

The two Lynx species in North America, Canada lynx and bobcats, are both found in the temperate zone. While the bobcat is common throughout southern Canada, the continental United States and northern Mexico, the Canada lynx is present mainly in boreal forests of Canada and Alaska.

Appearance

Lynx have short tails, and usually some hair on the ears. They have large paws ( feet) padded for walking on snow, and long whiskers on the face. The colour of the body is from light brown to grey and is sometimes marked with dark brown spots, especially on the legs. They weigh about 5 kg or about 11 pounds (approximately the size of a large domestic cat) and can weigh up to about 30 kg (66 pounds).

Lynx are similar to a regular house cat, but larger. They have a powerful body on short, furry legs attached to hefty feet, and a bobbed, black-tipped tail. The fur is spotted and yellowish-brown to grey. It has a collar of fur around the face, giving a triangular shape. They also have long black ear tufts. The smallest species are the bobcat and the Canada lynx, while the largest is the Eurasian lynx, with considerable variations within species.

Lynx are usually solitary, although a small group may travel and hunt together occasionally. Once a year the female gives birth to between two and four kittens. The young stay with the mother for one more winter, a total of around nine months, before moving out to live on their own as young adults.

Lynx eat mainly arctic hares (a large member of the rabbit family). They sometimes eat squirrels, ptarmigan (birds that look like large pigeons), and grouse (which look like fancy chickens). The Iberian Lynx feeds mostly on rabbits and hares.

Conservation

The Iberian lynx is the most endangered feline in the world. There are only two populations (together, 300 animals), in the southern Spain. Hunting lynxes is illegal in many countries.

National animal

The lynx is considered a national animal in the Republic of Macedonia and is displayed on the reverse of the 5 denar coin. It is also the national animal of Romania.

Images for kids

In Spanish: Lynx (animal) para niños

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(Genus, species: Lynx canadensis)

When I was younger I would change my favourite animals, colours, numbers, etc pretty much every month. However, I clearly remember that for an entire two year period my favourite animal was the Canadian lynx! I loved their cute ears and giant paws! I still find the Canadian lynx a fascinating creature and would love to see one in the wild.

Here is some neat information about the Canadian Lynx!

Distribution/Location: The Canadian Lynx lives in North America. They are most common across Canada and a select number of northern states, but may also be seen in southern states such as Oregon, Wyoming, New Mexico, etc.

Distribution of Canadian lynx in North America.

Unfortunately, lynx have become much less common in the United States. Due to urban sprawl from things such as highways, deforestation, and recreational development, the Canadian lynx are losing their habitat. This has led to the need for reintroduction in Maine, Minnesota, Washington, and Colorado. In the other states (specifically the lower 48 states) the Canadian lynx is listed as an endangered species.

Appearance: Canadian lynx are approximately 60 centimeters (2 feet) in height and 5-12 kilograms in weight, so they are classified as a medium-sized wildcat.

The ears of the lynx are very distinct; they are triangular with a tuft of black fur at the top of each ear. Lynx also have two larger tufts of fur on either side of the chin, giving them a flared beard appearance.

Lynx have a thick coat of fur, which is usually grey in color but may also have tints of red and white. Some lynx may have spots along the fur of their legs and their underbellies.

The paws of the Canadian lynx are very large compared to their body, allowing them to walk through the deep snow more easily. The Canadian lynx hind legs are noticably longer than its front legs.

Unlike other wild cats, the tail of the lynx is short-ranging anywhere from 9 to 12 centimeters in length-with a tip of black fur.

Diet: Canadian lynx are carnivores that hunt in the forest. They are considered mid-sized predators so their prey tend to be smaller rodents such as mice, red squirrels, voles, etc. They may also feast on different birds (willow ptarmigans and grouse for example) if they are able to catch them.

Their prey of choice is the snowshoe hare, so the Canadian lynx will typically inhabit areas with an abundant snowshoe hare population.

Hunting: When it comes to hunting, lynx are solitary creatures. They tend to be more active during the night rather than the day. Their eyesight is excellent, even in the dark, which is a great tool for their nocturnal lifestyle. Their whiskers can also be used to sense prey in the dark. Lynx are very sneaky hunters; they hide in hunting beds or trees while they wait to pounce on their prey.

Lynx are excellent forest and snow hunters. Amazingly, they can find small rodents burrowed beneath the snow. Plus, their quick reflexes help lynx catch their prey, even when deep snow makes moving around more difficult. It is especially handy that the paws of the Canadian lynx act like snowshoes.

Habitat: Canadian lynx most commonly inhabit boreal forests. These forests tend to be dense but mostly filled with younger trees that still provide adequate shelter. The young and dense forests tend to result when a wildfire occurs in a mature forest. These habitats are ideal because their favourite prey (snowshoe hares) are common in these regions.

Lynx are nocturnal animals (meaning they are more active at night), so during the day they will often sleep in a shelter underneath fallen trees or rock ledges.

These amazing creatures must be able to travel through swampy, boggy, rocky, and snowy areas. Canadian lynx have special adaptations to help them survive and thrive in diverse habitats. In terms of snow, the Canadian lynx use their thick fur coat to keep them warm and their large snowshoe-type paws to help them move through deep snow.

Mating: Canadian Lynx will mate during the spring months (March to May). Mating only lasts for one month, and whether it occurs in early or late spring depends on the weather conditions. The mating season is very quick because lynx are solitary creatures. After mating the male lynx will not have anything to do with raising the young kittens.

Breeding: After mating Canadian lynx are pregnant for about two months before giving birth to a litter of kittens. Lynx have been known to give birth to up to 8 kittens in one litter. However, most litters have an average of 2 to 4 kittens.

Kittens will stay with their mother for a year after birth; they will learn to hunt and survive in the forest environment. This is actualy the only time that lynx can be found hunting in groups.

While caring for their young, Canadian lynx will create dens in mature forests because there is excellent coverage in the undergrowth and fallen trees of developed forests. They keep their kittens safe in depressions in the ground, under trees or shrubs, or underneath rock ledges.

Young Canadian lynx will reach maturity at different times depending on their gender and the amount of prey available. Female lynx will reach maturity in less than a year if they have access to plenty of prey. If there isn't enough prey to sustain quick growth, then female lynx may take 2-3 years to reach maturity. Male lynx take at least two years to reach maturity.

Threats: Since Canadian lynx are only medium-sized predators, they face threats from other animals of the forest. Large carnivores such as cougars and wolves are direct predators of the Canadian lynx. Coyotes, although relatively small, may also hunt lynx.

Other animals theaten the Canadian lynx because they compete for prey. Animals like coyotes and wolverines may try and steal prey from the lynx. Wolverines are very aggressive and will scare lynx away from prey that they have caught. Luckily, lynx can use different adaptations, like their whiskers, to detect incoming predators while they are hunting.

Aside from animal threats, the Canadian lynx's main threat comes from human impact and loss of habitat. The urban sprawl of mankind has extended into a lot of forest areas, cutting off the lynx from paths through their habitat or destroying their home altogether. In the United States, Canadian Lynx are a threatened species due to current urbanization and a history of overtrapping.
Interesting Facts:
References

Schmidt, A. (2016, September 19). Basic Facts About Canada Lynx. Retrieved February 20, 2018, from https://defenders.org/canada-lynx/basic-facts

Worksheets and Other Activities:

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(Genus, species: Lynx canadensis) When I was younger I would change my favourite animals, colours, numbers, etc pretty much every month. However, I clearly remember that for an entire two year period my favourite animal was the Canadian lynx! I loved their cute ears and giant paws!

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Size:

32 to 47 inches long

Size relative to a 6-foot human:

What is a lynx?

Lynxes are medium-size, solitary wildcats that roam the forests of North America, Europe, and Asia. While their name comes from a Greek word meaning " to shine "-because of their reflective eyes-their defining features are the prominent tufts of hair above their ears, and their short, stubby tails.

There are four species of lynx. The Eurasian and Iberian lynx are found in Western Europe and Central Asia, and were once thought to be the same species despite the smaller size of the Iberian lynx. The other two species-Canada lynx and bobcats-live in North America. Bobcats, or Lynx rufus, got their name from their short-or bobbed-tail. But even experts can sometimes struggle to tell them apart from the other species.

Appearance

Lynx are usually a light brown, red, rusty, or gray color with dark spots for camouflage. Their fur grows thicker in winter to keep them warm in cold climates.

They are recognizable by the pointed black tufts of hair at the ends of their ears, beard-like fur around their cheeks, long legs, and short, stubby tails with a black tip. Their tufted ears may function like antennae to help them hear, detect movement above their head, or simply to keep their ears warm-but scientists have yet to discover the exact reason.

(Read about an all-black Canada lynx seen for the first time ever.)

Lynx bodies are adapted for life in deep snow. Their long legs help them move through the thick powder and their large, webbed paws have hair underneath to keep them warm and stop them slipping. Those paws hit the ground with a spreading toe motion to help the animal walk on top of the snow, forming the perfect snowshoe.

Bobcats, however, don't need to travel through thick snow in search of snowshoe hares, so they have smaller feet without hairy soles. You can also tell the bobcat by the smaller tufts on its ears, and the white underside of its tail.

Diet and population

Lynx are skilled hunters due to their great hearing and eyesight so strong that they can spot a mouse 250 feet away.

They tend to live in dense forests where there is plenty of cover to ambush their prey. Lynx aren't able to keep up the chase over long distances so once they've spotted their prey they'll silently stalk it until the perfect moment. Pouncing, they grasp their victim with their front claws and kill it with a bite to the throat.

These stealthy cats avoid humans and hunt at night, so they are rarely seen. They usually target one primary prey. For Canada lynx, that's the snowshoe hare and for the Iberian lynx, it's the European rabbit. Meanwhile, bobcats have a more varied diet of rabbits, hares, rodents, and sometimes birds, while the larger Eurasian lynx hunts deer and other small animals.

(Lynx take epic 2,000-mile treks-but why is a mystery.)

Lynx have also been known to kill farm animals, such as sheep and goats, particularly when the livestock is left to graze near the edge of a forest. In Norway, the government compensates farmers for the 10,000 or so sheep that are lost to lynx each year.

Reproduction

Lynx are largely solitary animals that make dens under fallen trees, in dense vegetation, or in abandoned burrows.

During mating season-which takes place at the end of the winter or in early spring-females will only breed with one male. Rival males will screech at each other as they fight over the female. About two months after mating, females give birth to a litter of between one and four kittens that she will raise herself with no involvement from the male.

(Out of the shadows, these are the wildcats you've never seen.)

By using camera traps and tagging kittens, researchers have learned that young lynx become independent at 10 months of age and head out to find their own territories after 20 months. Females have smaller territories than males and don't stray as far from home, and there are some reports of mother-daughter pairs hunting together. Once a young lynx has established its own territory, it is ready to reproduce.

Threats to survival

The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the Iberian lynx as endangered, while the Eurasian and Canada lynx and the bobcat are classified as of least concern. They are threatened by the loss and fragmentation of their habitats, humans who trap them for their valuable fur, and issues affecting their prey, such as disease and climate change.

Conservation and reintroduction efforts have proven successful in reversing the decline of the species. For example, the Eurasian lynx has been successfully reintroduced across Europe in countries including France, Italy, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Meanwhile, the population of Iberian lynx has grown tenfold across Spain and Portugal.

(Here's how the Iberian lynx became the biggest comeback in cat conservation.)

However, these are not without their challenges. The reintroduction of three pairs of Eurasian lynx to Croatia in 1973, 70 years after the last native animal was lost, seemed successful at first. But the population suffered from inbreeding, and there are now new projects aiming to add genetic diversity into the population by introducing new members.

Editor's note: This story was originally published on April 11, 2010. It has been updated.

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Size: 32 to 47 inches long Size relative to a 6-foot human: Lynxes are medium-size, solitary wildcats that roam the forests of North America, Europe, and Asia. While their name comes from a Greek word meaning " to shine "-because of their reflective eyes-their defining features are the prominent tufts of hair above their ears, and their short, stubby tails.

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Brown bears are brown, right? Well, maybe! They come in all sizes and shades, from a light cream color to almost black. Grizzly bears are a type of brown bear, but not all brown bears are grizzlies! Brown bears can be found in northwestern North America, northern Asia, Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East.

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During the fall, a brown bear eats practically around the clock, stocking up for the four to seven months when it'll have to live off stored body fat. A brown bear may chow down on 90 pounds of food each day.

As the cold swoops in, the fattened bear waddles into a den among rocks or one it dug out among tree roots. The female brown bear enters her den pregnant with one (sometimes two or three) baby bears. The tiny bear, about the size of a chipmunk, is just strong enough to crawl into a position where it settles in to nurse. A female brown bear's milk is very rich in fat and calories, so the cub grows quickly.

By the time the adult bear wakes up in the spring, her baby is strong enough to follow her out of the den. Cubs live with their mothers for up to three years, and then they're usually ready to face life on their own.

Not all brown bears are grizzlies: Grizzly bears are a subspecies of brown bear.

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During the fall, a brown bear eats practically around the clock, stocking up for the four to seven months when it'll have to live off stored body fat. A brown bear may chow down on 90 pounds of food each day.

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DK Find Out! | Fun Facts for Kids on Animals, Earth, History and more!

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Visit DK Find Out! to learn about dinosaurs, space, animals, nature & more. Fun learning activities for kids with videos, quizzes & galleries at DKFindOut.com

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FOUR PAWS in US - Global Animal Protection Organization

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Moose are often cute and cuddly in cartoons and books, but in real life, you wouldn't want to mess with one. These animals are taller than your dad and they weigh more than 1,300 pounds. That's as heavy as a car! Males have huge antlers that can grow 6 feet across or more.

You might not like cold weather, but moose seem to prefer it. They usually live in areas with cold, snowy winters, including North America, Europe and Asia. Moose are herbivores. During the summer, they eat tall grasses and shrubs. Moose have a hard time bending all the way to the ground to eat shorter grasses. In winter, they eat woody shrubs and pinecones.

Fun Facts about Moose for Kids

Moose like to swim. They can swim many miles without stopping and can stay underwater for up to 30 seconds.

In the spring, moose look for food in rivers and lakes. They nibble on the plants growing in the water.

Male moose are called bulls. They bugle, or make loud noises, in the fall to attract a mate.

Moose usually have just one or two babies, known as calves.

Moose can run up to 35 miles per hour. you won't outrun a Moose.

They belong to the deer family and are the largest members.

Moose can be found in northern parts of the US and in most places in Canada. In Europe they have large populations in Norway, Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Poland. In Europe Moose are called "European Elk".

A moose antlers can grow up to 6 ft and can weigh as much as 65 pounds or more. Yikes you don't want to confront an angry moose.

A female moose cannot grow antlers.

Male moose use their antlers for fighting and self defense, the fight is generally over a female.

The front legs are longer than their back legs, this helps the moose to jump objects.

Moose have excellent hearing and a fantastic sense of smell. This makes up for their relatively poor eyesight.

Moose Vocabulary

Learn More All About Moose

Watch a video of moose:

An information video about a wild moose in the National Park Animals

Moose Q&A

Question: Do moose lose their antlers?

Answer: Yes, the antlers fall off every year in late fall or winter. New antlers grow through the spring and summer. They are soft and velvety at first and become hard by fall.

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Question: Can baby moose run from predators?

Answer: Predators are a danger, but baby moose can run faster than you when they're only five days old!

Enjoyed the Easy Science for Kids Website all about Moose info? Take the FREE & fun all about Moose quiz and download FREE Moose worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

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Moose are often cute and cuddly in cartoons and books, but in real life, you wouldn't want to mess with one. These animals are taller than your dad and they weigh more than 1,300 pounds. That's as heavy as a car! Males have huge antlers that can grow 6 feet across or more.

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A moose swims across a mountain lake, reaching the shore alongside a forest. The moose's antlers-which stretch nearly six feet wide from tip to tip-drip water as the animal exits the water and trots toward the forest. The massive moose (weighing nearly 2,000 pounds) is the largest animal in the deer family.

ALL-WEATHER CHAMP

Moose primarily live in areas that have cold, snowy winters. Their wide hooves act like snowshoes to help them walk in the snow or in muddy, marshy ground after the white stuff melts.

When the winter ice melts, moose spend much of their time swimming in lakes and rivers to keep their body temperature down on hot days, sometimes swimming without stopping for 10 or more miles. They're pretty impressive on land too. An adult moose can run up to 35 miles an hour for short distances and 20 miles an hour for longer runs.

Year-round, moose snack mostly on leaves, stems, twigs, and the bark of small shrubs-and they eat plenty of all of these things. A full-grown moose can gobble up to 70 pounds of food a day.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE ANTLERS?

Male moose, called bulls, begin growing their antlers in the early spring. They use the pointy ends of their shovel-shaped headgear to fight with other males when competing for mates. Female moose, called cows, don't have antlers.

When mating season is over in the fall, bulls shed their antlers and head off to be alone until next year's mating season. Cows typically give birth to one or two calves in the spring. The calves stay with Mom for about a year until the next mating season the following spring.

Adult moose are too big to have many predators, but bears, wolves, and cougars prey on calves. Unfortunately, the biggest danger to an adult moose is getting hit by a car.

* The flap of skin under a moose's chin is called a bell.

* Moose are also called rubber-nosed swamp donkeys.

* Moose calves can outrun a human by the time they're five days old.

* A moose can kick in any direction with its front hooves.

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A moose swims across a mountain lake, reaching the shore alongside a forest. The moose's antlers-which stretch nearly six feet wide from tip to tip-drip water as the animal exits the water and trots toward the forest. The massive moose (weighing nearly 2,000 pounds) is the largest animal in the deer family.

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NatureMapping is a hands-on environmental science and education program linking kids, communities and professionals.

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Fun and interesting moose facts for kids.

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Porcupines are mammals. This means that they have fur, are born life, and drink milk when they are babies.

It also means that they are warm-blooded.

Warm-blooded animals are able to regulate their body temperature.

This means that no matter the temperature of the environment that the porcupine is in, their internal temperature will always be the same.

This allows them to live in much colder climates than cold-blooded animals.

Porcupines are rodents

Porcupines belong to the rodent animal family. This means that they are related to squirrels, mice, rats, and rabbits.

Rodents are known to gnaw or chew, on hard surfaces constantly. This is because their front teeth never stop growing.

If they are not worn away or chewed down, they will grow so large that the rodent could not eat or close their mouth.

Porcupines can be found in both North and South America, as well as in Africa.

They are adept climbers and prefer to live in trees. This means that they are a mostly arboreal animal.

If they cannot find a den in a tree, they will make one on the ground.

They might live in a cave, hollow log, or under a shed.

Porcupines are not graceful animals and prefer to stay hidden when possible.

What are quills?

They have a highly specialized defense system to help keep them safe from predators.

They can be covered in as many as 30,000 quills, which are like spikes on their tail.

These quills are very sharp, and perfect for defense.

The quills are mostly found on a porcupine's tail. The rest of the porcupine's body is covered in soft hair.

Most of the time, the quills on a porcupine will lie flat.

However, if a porcupine feels threated, they will turn their quills towards the threat and raise them up.

Porcupines are not able to shoot their quills out in defense.

If a predator gets too close, however, the quills will easily detach from the porcupine and get stuck in the predator.

The quills are barbed on the end, like a fish hook.

This makes them very difficult to remove, and very painful. Porcupines will grow new quills to replace the old ones.

How big are porcupines?

Porcupines are not large animals. They weigh anywhere from 12 to 35 lbs. They can be up to four feet in length, though most of them are usually only about three feet long.

Porcupines are vocal creatures. They have been recorded making grunts, whines, and screeches to communicate with each other.

Fun Facts About Porcupines

Like most forest dwellers, porcupines are nocturnal. This means that they prefer to sleep during the day and be up and moving during the night.

Porcupines do not live for very long in the wild, as they usually only live about five to seven years.

In captivity, however, they have been known to make it all the way to 18 years.

Porcupines are herbivores. This means that they only eat plants.

They will eat things like shrubs, flowers, bark, grasses, and leaves.

Females only ever give birth to one baby at a time.

The baby will stay with their mother for about four months before they begin living on their own. Baby porcupines are called "porcupettes."

More Animals facts.

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Porcupine Facts Porcupines are mammals. This means that they have fur, are born life, and drink milk when they are babies. It also means that they are warm-blooded. Warm-blooded animals are able to regulate their body temperature. This means that no matter the temperature of the environment that the porcupine is in, their internal temperature ...

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Porcupine ( Erethizon dorsatum)

What they look like: The porcupine is a medium-sized rodent, that is related to mice, rats and beavers. An adult porcupine is about 50 cm long (20 inches), not counting the tail. They can weigh from 4.5 to 13 kg (10 to 28 pounds). Long black and brown guard hairs and quills cover its body. The sharp stiff quills are actually modified hairs.

Where they live:

Porcupines live thoughout most of the western United States and parts of the Northeast. They are also found throughout forests in Canada.

Found from sea level to treeline, in the forested areas of every county except San Juan and Island. In the unforested areas, they are found along riparian corridors with trees or large shrub growth, including lush sagebrush. It needs trees or shrubs large enough to provide bark and cambrium for winter feeding.

What they eat: Porcupines like munching on a variety of trees including fir, hemlock, and pine, as well as maple, beech, birch, oak, elm, cherry and willow. They also eat several kinds of woody shrubs.

Nesting: When not in trees, porcupines prefer the protection of a den. The dens can be found in rock crevices, caves, hollow logs, or under houses and barns.

Behavior: Porcupines are nocturnal, which means they are active primarily at night. Porcupines like to sit quietly in trees, so if you spot one, you're should be able to get a good look at the animal. When porcupines are on the ground, they shuffle and waddle along. The long sharp quills provide protection from predators.

The fisher is the most formidable predator of the porcupine. Great horned owls, coyotes, bobcats, cougars, and wolves also prey on porcupines.

Did you know?

The porcupine has thousands of quills on its back to provide protection from predators.

Porcupines can NOT throw their quills.

Porcupines are nocturnal, which means they are active primarily at night.

Porcupine vision is poor, but they have an excellent sense of smell.

Baby porcupines are called "porcupettes".

Porcupine Photo

Photos: Natures Pics
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Porcupine ( Erethizon dorsatum) What they look like: The porcupine is a medium-sized rodent, that is related to mice, rats and beavers. An adult porcupine is about 50 cm long (20 inches), not counting the tail. They can weigh from 4.5 to 13 kg (10 to 28 pounds).

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A single porcupine can have more than 30,000 quills, which are actually sharp bristles of fused hair. When another animal attacks the porcupine, its quills detach, burrowing into the adversary's flesh and inflicting painful, potentially deadly wounds.

It's easy to tell when porcupines are mad: They stomp their feet, hiss, and shake their quills, which normally lie flat against the porcupine's body. While porcupines are rarely aggressive, they'll defend themselves by charging or swatting their spiked tail at opponents.

Porcupines are herbivores, eating leaves, plants, fruit, and the tender layer of tissue beneath the bark of trees. A porcupine can fell a whole tree if it removes too much bark.

The head and body of a porcupine is between 25 to 36 inches (60 to 90 centimeters). And the tail can add another 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 centimeters) to the entire length.

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Porcupines are lumbering, rotund rodents with needle-like spikes, called quills, covering their back, sides, and tail. A single porcupine can have more than 30,000 quills, which are actually sharp bristles of fused hair. When another animal attacks the porcupine, its quills detach, burrowing into the adversary's flesh and inflicting painful, potentially deadly wounds.

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A porcupine is a rodent with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them from predators. The porcupines include the third biggest rodent, after the capybara, and beaver, and are not to be confused with hedgehogs. Most porcupines are about 60-90 cm long, with a 20-25 cm long tail. Weighing between 12-35 pounds (5-16 kg), they are rounded, large and slow. Porcupines come in various shades of brown, grey, and the unusual white. The name "porcupine" comes from Middle French porc d'épine "thorny pork", hence the nickname "quill pig" for the animal. The correct term for a baby porcupine is a porcupette. A porcupette has soft quills made of hardened hair. This protects the mother from injury as she gives birth.

The North American porcupine is an herbivore; it eats leaves, herbs, twigs, and green plants such as clover. In the winter, it may eat bark. It often climbs trees to find food.

The African porcupine is not a climber and forages on the ground. It is mostly nocturnal, but will sometimes forage for food in the day, eating bark, roots, fruits and berries, as well as farm crops. Porcupines have become a pest in Kenya and are eaten as a delicacy.

Defensive behaviour displays in a porcupine depend on sight, scent and sound. Often, displays are shown when a porcupine becomes agitated or annoyed. There are four main displays seen in a porcupine which are quill erection, teeth clattering, emitting of odour, and attack. These displays are ranked from least aggressive to most aggressive respectively. A porcupine's colouring aids in part of its defence as most of the predators are nocturnal and colour blind. A porcupine's markings are black and white. The dark body and coarse hair of the porcupine are a dark brown/black and when quills are raised, present a white strip down its back mimicking the look of a skunk. This, along with the raising of the sharp quills, deters predators. Along with the raising of the quills, porcupines clatter their teeth causing warning noise to let predators know not to come closer. The incisors vibrate against each other, the strike zone shifts back and the cheek teeth clatter. This behaviour is often paired with body shivering which is used to further display the dangerous quills. The rattling of quills is aided by the hollow quills at the back end of the porcupine. The use of odor is when the sight and sound have failed. An invasive scent is produced from the skin above the tail in times of stress, and is often seen with quill erection. If the above processes fail, the porcupine will attack by running sideways or backwards into predators. A porcupines tail is also able to swing in the direction of the predator. If contact is made, the quills could be impaled into the predator causing injury or death.

Porcupines' quills, or spines, take on various forms, depending on the species, but all are modified hairs coated with thick plates of keratin, and embedded in the skin musculature. Old World porcupines have quills embedded in clusters, whereas in New World porcupines, single quills are interspersed with bristles, underfur, and hair.

Quills are released by contact or may drop out when the porcupine shakes its body. New quills grow to replace lost ones. Porcupines were long believed to have the ability to project their quills to a considerable distance at an enemy, but this has since been proven to be untrue.

There are some possible antibiotic properties within the quills, specifically associated with the free fatty acids coating the quills. The antibiotic properties are believed to aid a porcupine that has suffered from self injury.

Porcupines can live in a wide range of places in tropical and mild parts of Asia, Italy, Africa, and North and South America. Porcupines live in forests, deserts and grasslands. Some live in trees, others stay on the ground.

Porcupines in search of salt sometimes live in human places, eating plywood cured with sodium nitrate, certain paints, and tool handles, footwear, clothes and other items that have been coated in salty sweat. Porcupines like going near roads in areas where rock salt is used to melt ice and snow, and are known to gnaw on vehicle tires or wiring coated in road salt. Salt licks placed nearby can stop porcupine damage.

Natural sources of salt used by porcupines include different salt-rich plants (such as yellow water lily and aquatic liverwort), fresh animal bones, outer tree bark and mud in salt-rich soils.

Images for kids

Porcupine guard hair headdress made by native peoples from Sonora displayed at the Museo de Arte Popular in Mexico City

A pair of North American porcupines in their habitat in Quebec

Hunting porcupine near the town of Cassem, in a miniature from The Book of Wonders by Italian explorer Marco Polo (first book, manuscript 2810)

North American porcupine eating grass and clover

In Spanish: Puercoespín para niños

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The 300,000 quills that cover a North American porcupine's body are its best defense-but not the way you may think! A common myth is that porcupines can "shoot" their quills at a predator; but they can't. Here's the truth: the quills are made of keratin like your hair and fingernails.