Lynx

wild cat · mammal · forests

Four kinds. There are four living species of lynx, all part of the wild cat group called Lynx. They're medium-sized cats, bigger than your house cat but smaller than a lion.

Glowing eyes. The name 'lynx' comes from an ancient word meaning to shine, because a lynx's eyes seem to glow when light reflects off them in the dark.

Ear tufts. Lynxes are famous for the pointy tufts of black hair on the tips of their ears, which may help them hear better.

Ancient name. The word traveled a long way to reach us, from a very old Indo-European root, through Greek and Latin, into English.