eurasian lynx Reproductive Stratagies
These cat like creatures have the same gender system as cats, humans and like most mammals. They have male and female organisms, which are both required, one of each sex to reproduce. These creatures mating system falls under polygamy, as they do not have a mate for life, and can have multiple during their lifetime. Internal fertilisation takes place and they only produce a maximum of 3 offspring at one time, with 1 being the most common. Although this Lynx has the ability to reproduce at 1 year old, females won't reproduce until its mother has died, normally when they are approximately 3 years old.
The Eurasian Lynx, gives birth to live young, which I called a viviparity. The offspring develop within the female and receives nutrients whilst within. Their off spring are cared for by both their parents, until they reach 15 - 20 months of age, in which they are fully grown and developed. Survival really depends on the availability of prey, as this is scarce in their harsh habitat and if you can survive your siblings. At approximately 4o weeks, the kittens often become very aggressive and will kill its litter mate in a brutal fight. This normally occurs when the kittens switch from their mothers milk to meat. This factors along with the issue of poaching, because of their beautiful coat, there is an incredibly high mortality rate amongst young Lynx's, resulting in their endangerment. Unfortunately for the Eurasian Lynx, it's incredibly difficult to find a partner, which results in in-breeding, which leads to less kittens being born as it leads to males becoming infertile. This is because the female must find their own location that can become their own territory. |