2011-05-12_PERMIT FILE - M2011028 (2)

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Species Profile for Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) Page 4 of 5 ;1 2/1 8/2008 73 FR 76990 76994 Status of the Canada Lynx Finding, Substantial • Notice 12 month petition { ETWP; Proposal To List the Contiguous United finding, Warranted ;07/08/1998 63 FR 36994 37013 States Distinct Population Segment of the Canada . Proposed Listing, Lynx; Proposed Rule Threatened ETWP; 12-Month Finding for a Petition To List the a Notice 12 month petition 05/27/1997 62 FR 28653 28657 Contiguous United States Population of the Canada finding, Warranted but Lynx precluded ETWP; 12-Month Finding for a Petition to List As Notice 12 month petition 12/27/1994 59 FR 66507 66509 Endangered or Threatened the Contiguous United finding, Not warranted States Population of the Canada Lynx » Life History Habitat Requirements Lynx habitat can generally be described as moist boreal forests that have cold, snowy winters and a high-density snowshoe hare prey base. The predominant vegetation of boreal forest is conifer trees, primarily species of spruce (Picea spp.) and fir (Abies spp.). In the contiguous United States, the boreal forest type transitions to deciduous temperate forest in the Northeast and Great Lakes, and to subalpine forest in the west. In mountainous areas, the boreal forests that lynx use are characterized by scattered moist forest types with high hare densities in a matrix of other habitats (e.g., hardwoods, dry forest, non-forest) with low hare densities. In these areas, lynx incorporate the matrix habitat (non-boreal forest habitat elements) into their home ranges and use it for traveling between patches of boreal forest that support high hare densities where most foraging occurs. Food Habits Snowshoe hares are the primary prey of lynx, comprising the bulk of the lynx diet throughout its range. Without high densities of snowshoe hares, lynx are unable to sustain populations despite utilizing a multitude of other prey when snowshoe hare numbers are low. Other prey species include red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), grouse (Bonasa umbellus, Dendragopus spp., Lagopus spp.), flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus), ground squirrel (Spermophilus parryii, S. Richardsonii), porcupine (Erethrizon dorsatum), beaver (Castor canadensis), mice (Peromyscus spp.), voles (Microtus spp.), shrews (Sorex spp.), fish. Ungulate carrion may also be consumed. Movement / Home Range Individual lynx maintain large home ranges generally between 12 to 83 square miles. The size of lynx home ranges varies depending on abundance of prey, the animal's gender and age, season, and the density of lynx populations. When densities of snowshoe hares decline, for example, lynx enlarge their home ranges to obtain sufficient amounts of food to survive and reproduce. Lynx also make long distance exploratory movements outside their home ranges. Preliminary research supports the hypothesis that lynx home ranges at the southern extent of the species' range are generally large compared to those in the core of the range in Canada, indicating a relative reduction of food resources in these areas. Reproductive Strategy Weerninuche Construction Authority P.O. Box AA - Towaoc, CO 81334 L}cI. t6rr A - PArre 14- Zl http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=A073 4/12/2011