140 Department of Conservation of Louisiana 



Its scientific name of Lynx ruff us was given in recogni- 

 tion of this "ruff" of elongated hairs surrounding the throat 

 and which is more pronounced in the torn than in the fe- 

 male. The face of the lynx is really very beautiful and as 

 it possesses a lithe and graceful body, it can be considered 

 one of the handsomest mammals in our fauna. The tail is 

 short, slender, and slightly turned-up, this abbreviated ap- 

 pendage being barred with rufus and black, with a broad 

 band of black at the extremity. 



This stub-tailed wildcat is a lone skulker of our wili 

 lands, as it is only in the mating season that two or more 

 of these animals will be found together. Prowling about 

 on soft, furry paws, it stealthily seeks its prey of rabbits, 

 birds, or native rats and mice in the tangled undergrowth. 

 While the lynx lacks the skill, ability, speed and perse- 

 verance of a mink or fox in following a scent or trail, it 

 makes up for this by the ability it possesses of lying well 

 hidden in some retreat, and the lightning-like manner in 

 which it can spring on whatever small game passes within 

 reach. 



The lynx is a very skillful still-hunter and lives on a 

 wide variety of birds. Because of its diurnal activities, 

 being a day hunter while most of our other mammals are 

 more nocturnal in habits, its menu is quite varied. Being 

 also an adept climber, it puts this ability to good use in 

 feeding on birds and small mammals nesting in tree cavi- 

 ties. Along the Atchafalaya river bottoms in Pointe Coupee 

 and St. Landry parishes the bay lynx preys on kids and 

 lambs. 



Quiet in all it does and possessed of a very keen sense of 

 hearing, the bob-cat will instantly crouch with all four feet 

 under its body, remaining tense and motionless, listening 

 and watching, when it detects any movement in the under- 

 growth. If it is an enemy, it will creep off without a sound 

 betraying its retreat from the danger zone. If it proves 

 to be some living thing it can make a meal of, it will creep 

 on its victim with the utmost caution. 



