Iranian Wild Cats

Summary: There are six species of wild cats in Iran who are lynx or black cat, caracal, European wild cat, palass cat, sand cat and forest cat. These species widely differ from one another in terms of size, general shape and body and live in various ecological regions ranging from high lying freezing forests to desert lands.

Text: The diverse geographical and ecological conditions of Iran which stem from the country's location between the moderate Caspian Sea and tropical Persian Gulf, with fertile plains, humid forests, huge range of mountains, massive deserts and large wetlands have provided rich natural, flora and fauna reserves which is unique in the world.

The diversity of natural habitats accounts for diversity of various animals even those belonging to the same family. For example, the family of wild rams and ewes in Iran are categorized in several divisions and sub-divisions.

The wild cats living in our country have been categorized in several divisions and subdivisions. Given the fact that every mammal is the symbol of the place where it lives, in some cases it is sometimes wonderful to compare two species of cats within the geographical limits of a country. For instance, lynx and caracal, the first living in high lying lands and in forests with freezing temperature and the second in arid lands and deserts. Both species are fortunately native to Iran and well-known since a long time ago.

Of small bodied cat family, there are six species living in Iran who are Lynx, caracal, European wild cat, Palass cat, sand cat and forest cat. Each of these cats is considered a specific species and they widely differ from one another in terms of size, color and physical features. The reason for such differences is that the race of some of them has been intermingled with that of local cats.

Lynx

Note: Although all types of lynx are under Felis subdivision in the categories of cat family, some researchers and biologists believe that these wild cats make up an independent category titled lynx among other feline animals.

Among other small-bodied wild cats in the world, lynx is the largest one. The length of lynx from its nose to the end of its tail is between 120 and 135 centimeters.

Lynx is an animal with relative huge body and strong and longer than usual feet. It has wide claws. The whole body of a lynx is covered with long and thick hair (which is very smooth and beautiful). There are large and small spots with relatively obvious shades on the feet and back of the animal.

The colors of the spots range from grayish yellow and reddish yellow to brown. The hair on the belly and chest of the animal is white without any spot. The cheeks and face of a lynx are covered with long and thick hair whose color is the same as the hair on the back and shoulder with white and black strips.

The ears of the animal is wide and large with white edges. There are long hair inside the ears and batches of black hair at the end of each ear which is among the specific feature of this animal.

The eyes of a lynx is greenish yellow like the color of growing grass, It has a short hairy tail and its skull is like the skulls of other animals belonging to cat family (such as European wild cat) except that it is larger.

Its jaws are protruding and wide. The front teeth of this species have grown considerably and it has very big canine, molar and incisor teeth.

Like other cats, lynx has a weak smelling sense but its sight and hearing senses are very keen. Lynx generally lives alone and hunts at nights. Both male and female lynxes do not live together except during the mating time.

The mating time is usually in winter but may change depending on the ecological conditions of their habitats and whether changes.

As usual, fights between the males to take possession of females in a region is predictable. The priority in mating or generally speaking dominance over females goes to those male lynxes that are stronger than others.

A male lynx determines his realm by cutting the barks of trees with his claws and demarcating the limits of the land under his influence with urine, thus preventing other males from approaching the place. The females often overstep the limits and mate with several other males.

The pregnancy of a female lynx takes usually between 65 and 70 days and in each delivery she gives birth to two to four baby lynxes. Giving birth to twins is quite common among female lynxes.

Baby lynxes are born with closed eyes and they can open their eyes within 10 to 12 days of their birth. At this time, male cats are driven out of their nests but they will not abandon their families until babies are grown up and can help their mothers with hunting.

The males are responsible for providing babies with their needed foods. The baby lynxes are milked by their mothers for two months and remain with their mothers until the next spring. After one year, the female lynxes become full grown and ready for fertility.

The average life span of a lynx is 11 years. A full grown male cat nearly weighs 18 kilograms and its length with tail is between 100 and 110 centimeters. Its tail is 20 centimeter long.

Lynxes live in forests and over heights with temperate climate, over rocks and inside woods. This animal hunts at nights and begins its activity from early dusk or dawn. It spends the rest of the day inside bushes and fallen trees or holes dug in the ground by other animals (like rabbit, fox and hyena). It feeds mostly on rat, rabbit, squirrel, fox and other rodents, large birds and even small mammals (like deer).

Lynxes even attack larger animals who due to illness or handicap cannot defend themselves or escape like rams, ewes and goats and overpower their babies.

At present there are three species of lynxes living throughout the world that are:

• The Eurasian lynx who lives in Europe and Asia
• Spanish lynx whose main habitat is in Iberian peninsula (Spain-Portugal)
• Canada lynx or Polar lynx that are found in northern parts of North America

Though being considered a single species, these three species are in fact placed in three different scientifically categorized subdivisions.

The Eurasian lynx: (felis lynx lynx)
This species who in the past could be found in abundance throughout Europe is now considered an endangered species because of excessive hunting and destruction of their habitats.

The Eurasian lynx is now found in Scandinavian peninsula (Sweden and Norway) and western European forests. Most of Eurasian lynxes now live in the newly independent republics of former Soviet Union. It has a strong body and can run long distances quickly. This species hide inside stalks and leaves of trees or inside openings of rocks to hunt its preys that are mostly small mammals and birds. It can also easily climb a tree.

Lynxes do not at all feed on corpses of dead animals and so far there has been no report available on attacks of a lynx on human beings.

The mating of lynxes takes place in late winter or early spring. After a 70 day long pregnancy, the female lynx gives birth to two to four babies.

This species of lynx can be tamed easily and like caracal and puma they can be used in small scale hunting. Presently, the Eurasian lynx lives in forests in Eastern Europe, Sakhalin peninsula, Siberia, Manchuria and in parts of Hymalaya, Caucasus, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Central Asia and parts of the Indian subcontinent.

In Iran, this species of wild cat has been seen in Caspian Sea coasts, Azarbaijan province, western and northwestern heights of Alborz chain of mountains and Alamut mountains. One of the most important habitats of lynx in Iran is the protected region of Arasbaran in Azarbaijan Province.

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