National Geographic Kids USA - November 2017

ACANADALYNXMARKS

ITSTERRITORYBYRUB-

BINGITSSCENTAGAINST

ATREE.

in those areas could make crossing safer.
That way cars can stop more easily if a lynx
runs in front of them. Building tunnels
under the highways in spots where the cats
cross most often could help them avoid
roads altogether. With such changes, these
ghosts will hopefully coast through their
territory.

BACK ON TRACK
How do scientists know if their efforts are
helping? They can monitor local lynx popu-
lation sizes. But because these cats are pros
at hide-and-seek, scientists must find cre-
ative ways to count them.
One way is by collecting fur, which con-
tains DNA—genetic codes parents pass
down to offspring that determine traits
such as eye color. Besides identical siblings,
all animals have unique DNA. That means
researchers can use DNA to identify individ-
uals. And by analyzing various fur samples
from lynx in a certain area, they can esti-
mate how many individuals live there.
To get fur, biologists staple pieces of car-
pet to tree trunks and place catnip around
them. Later, lynx wander toward the trees.
They lick up the catnip and rub their bodies
against the carpet squares, leaving fur
behind. After a few days the team returns
to collect the fur-filled carpet pieces, then
sends them to a lab. The results will give
them a sense of how the phantom-like
felines are faring.

LYNX OUTLOOK
Even with cat tracking tactics, the rareness
of the Canada lynx makes it hard to count.
So experts still aren’t sure how changes to
its habitat in spots like Colorado and Maine
are helping population sizes. But they’ll
continue to gather data. And experts are
hopeful that attempts to protect the ghost
cat in the lower 48 U.S. states are working.
That should keep everyone in good spirits!

Chimpanzee

With their big tufts, a Canada lynx’s ears are pretty

recognizable. Match the pics of other animal ears

below with the critters they belong to.

Weird Ears

Iguana

Bloodhound

Fennec fox

1

3

5

4

2

California

sea lion

ANSWERS: 5, 1, 2, 4, 3.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS 15