British Columbia CORE Hunting Practice Exam

Which animal is known to be the main prey of lynx?

1. Deer

2. Snowshoe hare

3. Moose

4. Wild turkey

The correct answer is: Snowshoe hare

The snowshoe hare is recognized as the primary prey of the lynx, particularly the Canada lynx, which is specially adapted to hunt this animal. Lynx have evolved with features such as large feet that act like snowshoes, allowing them to move easily in snowy conditions where snowshoe hares are commonly found. The population dynamics between lynx and snowshoe hares are closely linked; as hare populations rise, lynx populations typically follow suit due to the increased food availability. While other animals, such as deer or moose, are significant within the ecosystem, they are generally not the preferred prey of lynx. These larger ungulates are outside the typical hunting behavior of lynx, which favors smaller mammals like the snowshoe hare. Wild turkeys also do not fit the dietary preferences of lynx, as they are ground-dwelling birds and are not part of the lynx's typical hunting strategy. Understanding this predator-prey relationship emphasizes the ecological role and dietary specialization of the lynx in its habitat.