By Omer Ashraf
The most endangered cat in the world, the Iberian Lynx, is also the most threatened European carnivore. Found solely in Iberian peninsula in Spain, the wild cat is likely to be the first to go extinct among feline species. Closely related but smaller than the Eurasian Lynx, the Iberian Lynx weighs in the range of thirty to sixty pounds with a more cat-like face and distinct skin markings than its European cousin. Rest of the attributes, including prominent facial ruff, short tail, longish legs and tufted ears, are similar to other lynx species.
A solitary hunter and nocturnal predator the Iberian Lynx relies largely on stealth and stalking to bring down prey. It often lays hidden in wait for hours before pouncing on the hunted animal in as few bounds as possible. Chief prey animal is the rabbit, with birds, rodents and hares less commonly taken. In times of desperation, such as these, when the prey base is thin - deer and mouflons are also attacked and killed by the lynx. The ear tufts aid the cat in locating its prey while thick hair on paws enable it to tread on snow and move silently.
Also known as Spanish Lynx, the secretive cat mates at the beginning of the year and cubs are usually born in the months of March and April. Usually three to four babies are born and gain independence at around eight to nine months of age.
For much of history, the Iberian Lynx was a part of Spanish fauna and flora - having a marked influence on the ecosystem. Throughout the last century there has been a steady decline in the cat's population, largely due to loss of its main prey animal - the rabbit - to disease. Other elements like roadside kills, poaching, hunting and habitat destruction with the development of Spanish infrastructure have also played a part. Despite warnings by eminent conservationists in the past decades, little government action has been taken to preserve the lynx or its habitat. With nearly one hundred adults remaining in areas the size of pinpricks on the map of Spain - it is now or never for the Iberian Lynx.
There is the tiniest flicker of hope with birth in captivity of few of these beautiful cats and some incentive shown by authorities in recent times to protect their reserves in the wild. The situation is still critical though and demands swift and sustainable action if the Iberian Lynx is to survive as a specie!
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Iberian Lynx
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Canadian Lynx
By Omer Ashraf
One of the four members of the lynx genus, the Canadian Lynx is an inhabitant mainly of Canada and Alaska, with some individuals recorded in certain parts of northern United States. A resident largely of snowy mountainous areas, it is adapted physically to survive in cold weathers. Though smaller than the Eurasian Lynx, the Canadian Lynx is a formidable predator with a size twice as big as the domestic cat. Males are larger, with an average weight of twenty five pounds and length nearing three feet.
A beautiful cat, the coat of the Canadian Lynx is thick and silvery brown with darkish markings that are often hard to spot in the dense fur. Neck is covered with a thick ruff of hair and ears, as with other lynx species, are tipped by long hair tufts. Tail is short like that of the Bobcat, though it is completely black - unlike that of the Bobcat whose tail is black on the upper and white on the lower surface. Hind legs are longer and paws are broad, aiding the cat to walk on snow.
A secretive and largely solitary feline, the Canadian Lynx is a diurnal hunter. A specialized predator in large parts of its range - the cat preys mostly on the snowshoe hare. In fact its population corresponds directly to the rise and fall of the hare population in its range. Other mid-sized animals are also taken including birds, small ungulates and rodents and scavenging is often observed in winter on left over deer and caribou carcasses.
Average lifespan of this cat is around fifteen years. After a gestation period of two months, mother gives birth to up to eight kittens - the number correlating to the abundance of prey animals at that point in time. The young stay with the mother until they can fend for themselves. Sexual maturity is reached at nearly two years.
The lynx is easily trapped and mainly hunted for its fur. It also suffers indirectly at the hand of hunters since its main prey animal - the rabbit - is widely killed for sport. Though not critically endangered yet, the loss of prey and habitat has led to the decline of the beautiful cat in many parts of its former range.
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Canadian lynx
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
One of the four members of the lynx genus, the Canadian Lynx is an inhabitant mainly of Canada and Alaska, with some individuals recorded in certain parts of northern United States. A resident largely of snowy mountainous areas, it is adapted physically to survive in cold weathers. Though smaller than the Eurasian Lynx, the Canadian Lynx is a formidable predator with a size twice as big as the domestic cat. Males are larger, with an average weight of twenty five pounds and length nearing three feet.
A beautiful cat, the coat of the Canadian Lynx is thick and silvery brown with darkish markings that are often hard to spot in the dense fur. Neck is covered with a thick ruff of hair and ears, as with other lynx species, are tipped by long hair tufts. Tail is short like that of the Bobcat, though it is completely black - unlike that of the Bobcat whose tail is black on the upper and white on the lower surface. Hind legs are longer and paws are broad, aiding the cat to walk on snow.
A secretive and largely solitary feline, the Canadian Lynx is a diurnal hunter. A specialized predator in large parts of its range - the cat preys mostly on the snowshoe hare. In fact its population corresponds directly to the rise and fall of the hare population in its range. Other mid-sized animals are also taken including birds, small ungulates and rodents and scavenging is often observed in winter on left over deer and caribou carcasses.
Average lifespan of this cat is around fifteen years. After a gestation period of two months, mother gives birth to up to eight kittens - the number correlating to the abundance of prey animals at that point in time. The young stay with the mother until they can fend for themselves. Sexual maturity is reached at nearly two years.
The lynx is easily trapped and mainly hunted for its fur. It also suffers indirectly at the hand of hunters since its main prey animal - the rabbit - is widely killed for sport. Though not critically endangered yet, the loss of prey and habitat has led to the decline of the beautiful cat in many parts of its former range.
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Canadian lynx
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Pets: Curing Bad Cat Breath
By Nicholas Tan
Cat owners know for a fact that bad cat breath can be downright awful. It isn’t that much different from bad human breath, as both are caused by bacteria found in the mouth that breaks protein down and releases the sulfur compounds out into the air. Sulfur smells really bad on its own, which is why breath containing it smells bad as well. The bacterium that causes bad breath with cats is normally associated with a buildup of tartar around the teeth. Tartar is yellow in color, known as a coating of bacteria, food, and minerals.
To cure your cat from bad breath, you’ll need to remove the buildup of tartar. There are several cat foods out there that are designed to reduce the buildup of tartar, many containing enzymes that will literally dissolve it. You can also give your cat treats as well, as many of them will help eliminate and prevent tartar. If the buildup of tartar is bad, you may need to have your cat’s teeth professionally cleaned. Once the tartar has been removed, the bad breath will go away.
You may be able to clean the tartar off your cat’s teeth at home. There are several toothpastes available for pets, available in several different flavors. You’ll need to get a mechanical toothbrush, as the motion is very important for removing tartar buildup. Toothpastes that contain enzymes will dissolve tartar, helping to cure bad breath. If you start early with brushing your cat’s teeth, you can virtually eliminate any type of tartar buildup that will ultimately lead to bad breath.
Some bacteria that lead to tartar can be found in your cat’s diet. When you feed him, you should always make sure that the food he consumes doesn’t contain a lot of bacteria. If you shop healthy and feed him only healthy foods, it can help his bad breath a great deal. When you give your pet a treat, make sure that the treat is designed to help with tartar. After your cat has finished eating, you can brush his teeth or rinse his mouth out. This way, you’ll get the bacteria out of his mouth before it has time to build up on his teeth.
Sometimes, cats may have a bad odor in their mouth that doesn’t come from tartar or bad breath in general. In these rare cases, it can be either liver or kidney disease. If you notice bad breath and it isn’t tartar, you should take your cat to the vet. Even though it may be something to do with tartar, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Your veterinarian can pinpoint the problem, let you know what the cause is – and how you should go about fixing it.
We provide grooming for dogs and cats, and free pet grooming consultation services and free grooming tips by breeds! Our pet products include fashionable carriers, embroidered shirts, reversible raincoats, pet shoes, cotton dresses, pet food, pet carrier, dog ribbons, and other related pet products.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Cat owners know for a fact that bad cat breath can be downright awful. It isn’t that much different from bad human breath, as both are caused by bacteria found in the mouth that breaks protein down and releases the sulfur compounds out into the air. Sulfur smells really bad on its own, which is why breath containing it smells bad as well. The bacterium that causes bad breath with cats is normally associated with a buildup of tartar around the teeth. Tartar is yellow in color, known as a coating of bacteria, food, and minerals.
To cure your cat from bad breath, you’ll need to remove the buildup of tartar. There are several cat foods out there that are designed to reduce the buildup of tartar, many containing enzymes that will literally dissolve it. You can also give your cat treats as well, as many of them will help eliminate and prevent tartar. If the buildup of tartar is bad, you may need to have your cat’s teeth professionally cleaned. Once the tartar has been removed, the bad breath will go away.
You may be able to clean the tartar off your cat’s teeth at home. There are several toothpastes available for pets, available in several different flavors. You’ll need to get a mechanical toothbrush, as the motion is very important for removing tartar buildup. Toothpastes that contain enzymes will dissolve tartar, helping to cure bad breath. If you start early with brushing your cat’s teeth, you can virtually eliminate any type of tartar buildup that will ultimately lead to bad breath.
Some bacteria that lead to tartar can be found in your cat’s diet. When you feed him, you should always make sure that the food he consumes doesn’t contain a lot of bacteria. If you shop healthy and feed him only healthy foods, it can help his bad breath a great deal. When you give your pet a treat, make sure that the treat is designed to help with tartar. After your cat has finished eating, you can brush his teeth or rinse his mouth out. This way, you’ll get the bacteria out of his mouth before it has time to build up on his teeth.
Sometimes, cats may have a bad odor in their mouth that doesn’t come from tartar or bad breath in general. In these rare cases, it can be either liver or kidney disease. If you notice bad breath and it isn’t tartar, you should take your cat to the vet. Even though it may be something to do with tartar, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Your veterinarian can pinpoint the problem, let you know what the cause is – and how you should go about fixing it.
We provide grooming for dogs and cats, and free pet grooming consultation services and free grooming tips by breeds! Our pet products include fashionable carriers, embroidered shirts, reversible raincoats, pet shoes, cotton dresses, pet food, pet carrier, dog ribbons, and other related pet products.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com