Iberian
Lynx
“Not since the
time of the saber tooth has a feline species gone extinct. Earth’s most
endangered cat could be next”
The Iberian Lynx is one of
the world’s most threatened species of cat. They are usually found in Mediterranean
woodland and marquis habitat. The IUCN Red List categorizes the Iberian Lynx as
a critically endangered species. The Iberian lynx is heavily spotted and weighs
about 10-13kg and measures 88-100cm.
Reasons why the Iberian lynx
is becoming extinct is because of combinations of threats:
v
Decreasing food
base
o
Rabbits are the
main food source for the Iberian lynx and with the decrease amount of rabbits
because of epidemics it has affected the Iberian population.
v
Habitat loss and
degradation
o
Due to the
building of new roads, dams, railways and other human activities it has
affected the environment where Iberian lynx live and has decreased their
numbers.
v
Hunting
o
Humans hunt the
Iberian lynx and have decreased its population numbers.
v
Car hits
o
Due to the
increase construction of highways many of the Iberian lynx have been dying,
because people have been running them over with their vehicles.
If you are interested in
learning more about the Iberian lynx click on the link below to get more
information or to find out how you can help the species from going extinct.
