Canada lynx are elusive predators, uniquely adapted to the harsh conditions of the Rockies. They can traverse deep snow with ease and spot prey in the darkness from up to 250 feet away. Their keen senses make them formidable hunters, but tracking these cats offers a rare glimpse into their lives, habitats, and the challenges they face.
Researchers have used GPS data and advanced habitat modeling to map and study lynx habitats, focusing on the southern Rocky Mountains in western Colorado, southern Wyoming, and northern New Mexico.
This region marks the southernmost edge of their range. The findings reveal critical insights into the lynx’s habitat needs and conservation priorities.
Mapping lynx habitat: A conservation tool
Updated habitat maps reveal that more than half of the Canada lynx ‘s range in the southern Rockies lies within protected areas, such as wilderness zones and national parks.
While this is a positive finding, the maps also highlight challenges: lynx habitat in this region is highly fragmented and exists in small, disconnected patches. This fragmentation is due to Colorado’s complex mountainous terrain, which restricts suitable lynx habitat to narrow, scattered bands.