The Eurasian lynx (
Lynx lynx) is found in
Asia and
Europe, hence its name. They were formerly abundant all over Europe, but
habitat destruction and hunting has decreased their numbers. Lynxes prefer to live in forested mountains far from humans,but a common habitat is in the forests of
Switzerland/
Austria/
Germany, since many animals were captured elsewhere and released there (to the displeasure of those whose
livestock was being eaten by the cats with no natural
prey left).
The Eurasian lynx is yellowish or grayish brown, sometimes with faint spots, and like the Canadian lynx, they have ruffs of fur around their faces, large snowshoe-like feet, and tufts of hair at the points of their ears. They mostly eat small mammals and ground-dwelling birds. Lynxes are solitary.