Dear 6th Grade Students and Teachers, Do you know an animal that is so rare that there are only 19 of them in zoos across the United States? Did you also know that it can see up to 250 feet in front of them in the dark? This animal’s binomial name is Lynx Lynx. Well this phenomenal kitty is nothing like your average “Putty Tat. ” This creature is a Siberian Lynx, and this is the animal that Converse Middle School should adopt. The Siberian Lynx is a beautiful and very well adapted animal.
Despite its weight being up to 75 pounds, they are about 25 to 30 inches tall at their shoulder with their body length being 50 to 75 inches long. Much like other large cats, the Siberian Lynx’s tail is a lengthy 5 to 10 inches long! Known for having black tiffs atop their ears, they also have fluffy cheek ruffs. In fact, their fur is normally gray with a tint ranging from yellow to rusty. When they don’t have spots on their coats, they are referred to as a “Wolf Lynx” or when they have spots, they are called a “Cat Lynx. Although their marking are most commonly spotted, there are many different patterns found on the Siberian Lynx species. They are predominately spotted, striped, or unspotted. In spite of being smaller than most cheetahs, lions, cougars, and black panthers, they are the biggest Lynx species. Baby Siberian Lynxes are only 8. 75 to 12. 5 ounces at birth. After 10 to 17 days, they will open their eyes. Even at birth, the Siberian Lynx has fur covered paws, a heavier coat, and their coat pattern to camouflage with their environment.
In addition, we should adopt this animal because they are so well adapted but still need our help because they are endangered and so rare. Since you already know, there are only 224 Siberian Lynxes in captivity in the world. 19 of them being in the U. S. What I didn’t tell you already, is that 1 of the 19 is at Lupa Zoo! That is another reason why we should adopt the Siberian Lynx. If we did, then we could help care for its enclosure which is 143. 5 square meters! We also could help pay for the food, which is always necessary.
Of course, they live 10 to 26 years! So if we did adopt the Siberian Lynx, they would be there for many years to come. Their breeding season is spring and they can only breed once a year. There homes in Siberia, Russia, Asia, and parts of Europe, can be quite chilly too, so they would need to have a cold enclosure so they could have little kittens and keep the population afloat. They also hunt at night because of their keen hearing. Due to the need to eat, the Lynx can run 12 miles in heavy ground cover during one night, just to hunt.
In France, they were exterminated in 1900, and due to some population fears, they were later reintroduced. In 1850 they were exterminated in Germany and the same in Switzerland in 1915. Few have ever been spotted in Italy, but luckily, the number is rising. They inhabit taiga, alpine tundra, and some rocky barren areas above the mountain tree lines. If this amazing animal was to be exterminated anywhere else, it would effect the population greatly. Therefore, we should adopt the Lynx. The Siberian Lynx needs a lot of food.
They eat birds, rabbits, and even animals 3 times their own size! One special feature they have is that they can jump 8 feet into the air, while all Lynxes stalk their prey. Males can also eat 20 to 35 pound in one day! Like other cats, they are carnivores so they would not make good pets. Unless you had no other pets, this cat would make a meal out of almost any other animal. Siberian Lynxes are solitary animals, but are known for being very friendly, especially in zoos. So please, adopt the Siberian Lynx and keep zoo goers happy.
In conclusion, we should adopt the Siberian Lynx. Keep in mind that this animal is in grave danger of becoming extinct. Please help and let our next generation not have to worry about this ongoing problem. Let them be able to see this gorgeous creature and not have to think, “Poor Lynx! What will happen to him? ” They are a symbol of happiness and freedom. They are on a coin and also on most postage stamps from the Soviet Union. Next time you see the Siberian Lynx or think about them, remember, you can help, by adopting this extraordinary animal. Your Friend, Katelyn Shuttle
