A lynx's paws are huge compared to its body — the wide surface area spreads its weight across deep snow, allowing it to walk silently without sinking. This makes the lynx a very effective hunter in winter when other animals struggle to move quickly. The famous ear tufts help the lynx to hear sounds from far away, making them exceptional listeners.
Lynx hunt mainly deer, roe deer, and hares. Unlike wolves, they hunt entirely alone, using patience and stealth rather than speed. A lynx may stalk a deer for a long time before making its move — it is a master of the slow, silent approach.
Lithuania's older forests, with their dense undergrowth and fallen logs, are perfect lynx habitat. Camera traps occasionally capture rare photographs of lynx trotting through the trees at night. These images are always exciting news for local wildlife researchers and nature fans.
Lynx kittens are born in spring, usually two or three at a time, in a hidden den. The mother raises them alone and teaches them to hunt by letting them practice on small prey first. By their first winter the kittens can already survive short periods on their own.