Lynx canadensis
Boreal forest in Canada and Alaska, plus small populations in the northern Rockies, Great Lakes, and northern New England. Very large round track for the animal’s weight, often 3 to 4.5 inches in snow.
What does a canada lynx look like?
Gray cat, long ear tufts, huge feet, black tip on a very short tail.
What do canada lynx tracks look like?
A big, round, snowshoe print. In deep snow the edges are soft and furry. Smaller and rounder than a cougar, larger and fuzzier than a bobcat.
- Very large round track for the animal’s weight, often 3 to 4.5 inches in snow
- No claw marks
- Fur blurs the pad edges in winter
- Short black-tipped tail if seen
- Ear tufts
What does canada lynx poop look like?
Segmented, often mostly snowshoe-hare hair. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Boreal forest in Canada and Alaska, plus small populations in the northern Rockies, Great Lakes, and northern New England. Typical places: woods. Year-round. Huge feet show in snow.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not follow it to a den
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Bobcat identification
- Cougar identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
What do lynx tracks look like?
Large round prints, often 3 inches or more, no claws, with soft furry edges in snow.
How to tell a canada lynx from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Bobcat. Round, clawless, slightly wider than long. Tawny spotted cat, short bobbed tail with black bars, ear tufts small.
- Cougar. A big round cat print. Large plain tan cat, long tail, rounded ears.
Canada lynx field marks
- Very large round track for the animal’s weight, often 3 to 4.5 inches in snow
- No claw marks
- Fur blurs the pad edges in winter
- Short black-tipped tail if seen
Where the sign shows up
Boreal forest in Canada and Alaska, plus small populations in the northern Rockies, Great Lakes, and northern New England. Typical places: woods. Year-round. Huge feet show in snow.
A big, round, snowshoe print. In deep snow the edges are soft and furry. Smaller and rounder than a cougar, larger and fuzzier than a bobcat. Segmented, often mostly snowshoe-hare hair.
Common questions
What do lynx tracks look like?
Large round prints, often 3 inches or more, no claws, with soft furry edges in snow.