There are four large carnivore species in Finland, all belonging to different families. The lynx is a feline, the wolf is a canine, the brown bear is from the family Ursus and the wolverine is from the family of weasels.
The lynx (Lynx lynx) is the only wild feline species in Finland. As is typical of feline animals, it is the most predator-like of our large carnivores. Its diet consists almost entirely of mammals and birds. In ages past the lynx was usually only noted for its valuable fur.
The beautiful, spotted fur of the lynx has been a well sought after and pricey luxury item in Scandinavia since the Middle Ages. In the summer the lynx's coat is a reddish grey but in the winter it turns into a grey-white colour. The fur has brown or black spots and streaks in it. In the Middle Ages it was believed that there was no such grief that the beautiful fur of a lynx couldn't assuage.
A lynx in summer coat. Photo: Hannu Huttu
Lynx. Photo: Lassi Rautiainen.
The lynx is the most predator-like of our large predators. In the summer the lynx's coat is a reddish grey but in the winter it turns into a grey-white colour. The fur has brown or black spots and streaks in it. The lynx's legs are relatively longer than those of domestic cats and it has the ability to withdraw its claws like other felines. It uses its claws when hunting and climbing trees. Generally the claws are not visible in the lynx's tracks, but it might use its claws for additional support on hard snow.
Lynx caterwaul
The lynx leaves tracks that are typical of felines. The lynx has four toes that are visible in its tracks. The digital pads on the lynx's paw look small and round, sometimes they even resemble thin fingertips. When it moves the lynx keeps its sharp claws inside the paws, except in certain special ca...
The lynx is a nimble and stealthy predator. As a feline the lynx can see in the dark. Their eyes are large and their corneas are mirror-like. The lynx's hearing is very well developed, unlike its sense of smell, and it locates its prey primarily by hearing and sight.
The lynx is a carnivore. Its list of prey animals is very long and encompasses everything from small rodents and birds to deer and reindeer. Hares and white-tailed deer are the lynx's preferred prey animals and in Lapland the lynx also eats a lot of reindeer. The lynx's teeth are not very well-suite...
The Finnish lynx population has become stronger since the lynx became a protected species and it has now spread to the entire country. The size of the lynx's territory varies between 100 and 1 000 square kilometres. Male lynxes have larger territories than females and the territories of male lynxes ...
The management plan for the Finnish lynx population was approved in 2006. The plan defines the guidelines by which the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry continues the systematic management of the lynx population. The aim of the management plan is to establish and secure the lynx as a permanent fi...
The views held by Finns are sometimes conflicting when it comes to the population management and conservation of large carnivores. Research has been conducted on how Finns think our large carnivore populations should be managed. This data has been collected via surveys, interviews and public meeting...
Large carnivore populations are increasing in numbers and spreading to new areas in Europe, thanks to the conservation measures that have been taken. This has aroused considerable interest in large carnivores but also given rise to some concern and public debate.