Aggression in lynx adult-cub relations: can it be a reason for the dissolution of litters?

Abstract

The patterns of lynx Lynx lynx social behaviour in family groups were observed in captivity during the different stages of kittens' ontogenesis. The family group consisted of an adult female and the kittens. An adult male was also present during the rut and the “postmating period”. Playful contacts and allogrooming predominated in the interactions. When the cubs became older the percentage of playful contacts among sibs decreased significantly (from 96.8% to 52.6%) as well as between them and their mothers (from 95.1% to 35.9%). By contrast the percentage of allogrooming and identifying contacts increased. The amount of aggressive contacts between sibs attained its maximum at 1.5–2 months of age but it was small (1.2%). Adult males were more hard than females in their relations with the youngs during the rut. The percentage of aggressive contacts between them was 31.6%. Nevertheless they were mainly soft aggressive contacts (83%) provoked by the young lynx. It is improbable that aggressive contacts are the main reason for the disintegration of litters in the lynx. Shortage of food seems to be a more likely cause.