Siberian Lynx Caresheet

Family: Felidae
Latin: Felix lynx (Siberian),
Commmon: Siberian Lynx

Size of average adult:

Height: 24 to 30 inches at the shoulder
Length: body length 30 to 50 inches, with a tail of 4-10 inches long
Weight:

Females: 15 to 25 lbs.
Males: 20 to 35 lbs.

Drago is extremely laid back, and loves to say hi to anyone. He also possesses a very loud purr. Until his mate, Canadian lynx "Sophie" came along, Drago didn't really "talk" much other than purr. Now he has his own unique set of vocalizations that mimic Sophie's. Although Sophie came to us as an adult, she's extremely friendly, loving a good chin scratch. Sophie unfortunatly died of renal failure a few years ago...we miss her.

Lynxes can be extremely affectionate and playful. My Siberian loves to roll over on his back and paw at your hands. He loves a good box to tear apart. They, like all their feline relatives, also enjoy a good nap. They litter train somewhat easily, but it's never a good assumption to believe they will be 100% accurate 100% of the time. When bottle raised from a kitten a serval can get along with other household pets. However, since they are carnivores, you will most likely find their relationship with your pet that would be natural prey (birds, hamsters, sugar gliders, etc) in their native habitat, tasty.

Lynxes can be dangerous to small children. While I don't believe a bottle raised lynx intends to hurt a small child, their playful nature would make a toddler great fun to stalk and play with, which could get out of hand and hurt your child. Therefore I do not recommend them in a household with children under the age of about 6.

When considering sharing your home with a lynx, remember that these felines possess all the strength, grace and agility of their European cousins. "Proofing" your house accordingly is prudent. This includes unstable furniture and bookshelves, since a lynx can jump as high as 8 feet straight up.

While exotic species of animals can recognize their name, they tend to "come" to you at their convenience, not yours. Because of their incredible ability to jump and climb, you cannot ever simply release your lynx, like you would a dog, and expect it to ever return. ALWAYS have complete control of your pet (such as a secure harness with the lead wrapped around your hand, not just held there) whenever it is not in a completely enclosed and safe place for both it and others around you. This includes fenced in areas without a top.

Sexual maturity: 24 to 36 months
Breeding season: Spring
Gestation: 63 to 70 days
Litter Size: 1 to 5 kittens

Unlike other felidae cats, lynx breed only once a year, in the spring. Their gestation is a bit shorter than the other cats as well, at about 63 days-vs-70-80 days for the caracal and serval.

Bottle-feeding is not necessary to get a great bond with your kitten, but bottling your kitten greatly enhances and facilitates this bonding experience. The younger your kitten is when you officially adopt it, the quicker the bond.

When you bring home your kitten at this early age, be prepared to stimulate it (make it go to the bathroom) either before or after it's meal. You are the "momma" now, and it's your responsibility to see to your new baby's health.

Kittens can be weaned in the 6-12 week range. You will want to get your kitten on to a once- or twice-a-day feeding at about 4 months old.

Start litter training as soon as your kitten starts going to the bathroom on its own. Exotic cats litter train somewhat easily, but it's never a good assumption to believe they will be 100% accurate 100% of the time.

Lynx kittens are quite playful and extremely affectionate. Like any other kitten, they like to play with toys and stalk imaginary prey. In order to keep them happy and healthy, you should provide your kitten with plenty of opportunities to play with a variety of toys for mental stimulation and enrichment.

When raising your kitten, keep in mind that this is a carnivore and a predator. While roughhousing and pouncing are great fun with a six-week-old kitten, these same behaviors can get out of hand as a 40 pound adult. Play gently and never allow mouthing on your person. Use toys for these activities.

I personally recommend de-clawing all four feet. As early as your vet will do this procedure is best, hopefully around five weeks of age. I feel this greatly enhances the quality of life for both you and your kitten since you both can interact together safely. Lynx can unintentionally scratch you during play. Your furniture will be saved as well. De-clawing is, however, a personal choice, and this is simply my recommendation.

I also recommend neuter/spay in a pet setting. This can prevent spraying/marking behavior, and keep you pet the mellow individual it is. Discuss a vaccination and worming schedule with your vet as well.

My kittens start out eating KMR (Kitten Milk Replacer) formula made by Pet Ag with yogurt mixed in a bottle.

There are many successful ways to feed a lynx in a pet environment. Do your research and pick out what best suits you. I feed my breeding adults once a day. In my breeding environment I feed a variety of foods that include, but are not limited to ZuPreem Feline Diet, a premium brand cat food, raw chicken leg quarters, other raw chicken parts, and raw ground turkey. I've also added whole live prey to their diets such as rats and chickens.

When bottle raised from a kitten, a lynx can get along with other similar sized household pets. However, since they are carnivores, you will most likely find their relationship with any other pets (birds, hamsters, sugar gliders, etc.) that would be natural prey in their native habitat as tasty.

When considering sharing your home with a lynx, remember that these felines possess all the strength, grace and agility of their larger and smaller feline cousins. "Proofing" your house accordingly is prudent. This includes unstable furniture and bookshelves, since a lynx can jump as high as 8 feet straight up.

I recommend that you have some sort of area or enclosure where you can be assured of your baby's safety as well as the safety of your home. How much time is actually spent in this can somewhat determine what size it needs to be. If you have an outdoor enclosure, it needs to have a top on it. There needs to be both shade and sun available. Bigger is always better. Our housing is chain link enclosures that are 12x24 feet and 6 feet high. We use a large plastic doghouse in some of our pens, wood houses in others. When building your enclosure, keep in mind your environment and provide what is necessary for a happy, healthy cat.

Approximate life span:

Canadian Lynx: 10-20 years in captivity
Siberian Lynx: 10-26 years in captivity

Canadian Lynx: Canada
Siberian Lynx: Siberia Russia

Other Costs: shipping or pick up, supplies (as kittens and as adults), enclosures (caging), toys, and food. Routine veterinary services can include general health check up, vaccinations, worming, spay/neuter, and de-clawing. Often a vet will charge more for exotic care than domestic animals (cats or dogs).

BEFORE YOU HIT SEND OR PICK UP THE PHONE

Chances are the answers to your questions are found somewhere on our site. There are also questions we ask of you BEFORE we'll answer any inquiries. Please review our site completely, especially our Policies page.

Please remember that the animal health and husbandry information contained on this page is merely what has worked for us. Please realize that we do not claim to know all the answers about each animal, but can only offer you the best information we have based on our experience. This information is not meant to be a substitute for common sense and proper veterinary care. Remember that age, health, sex, metabolism and individual temperament can vary from animal to animal to dictate the proper environmental and nutritional requirements for each individual animal. Please use common sense and monitor your animal's condition daily. If you have questions, please consult your veterinarian directly if the health and welfare of your animal is in question.

This caresheet is just a beginning and is not intended to be your entire education about Lynx. There are so many things to know and talk about that we simply cannot remember to list everything you will need to know. We are also just one opinion, and you should solicit other opinions to see what others think before you make up your mind. It is your responsibility to find out as much as you possibly can BEFORE you decide to buy a Lynx.

For more information about Lynx, you can join free Yahoo! Groups discussion lists at:

• http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BOBCATS-LYNX

• http://groups.yahoo.com/group/exoticcatbreeds