Food Habits of the Lynx in Newfoundland

Abstract

The food habits of the lynx (Lynx canadensis) on the Island of Newfoundland were investigated during the period 1956-61. Results are based upon analyses of the contents of 206 digestive tracts, 116 identified lynx scats, and 104 presumed lynx scats. Snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) occurred in 73 percent of the total tracts and scats in all seasons. Birds, especially smaller species, occurred in 21 percent of the material but were taken most in spring and summer. Mice occurred in 14 percent of the material during snow-free periods of years when they were abundant. Carrion resulting from big game hunting occurred in 20 percent of the tracts and scats, principally during fall and winter. Little evidence of predation upon domestic animals was found. Information on hunting habits of lynx, obtained from tracking studies, is presented. A large population of lynxes in western Newfoundland between 1953 and 1956 prompted the investigation of the status of the lynx. This report presents information on food habits, which was obtained between 1956 and 1961. The paucity of terrestrial vertebrate prey species on the Island of Newfoundland is worthy of note. Amphibians and reptiles are not native to the Island. The green frog (Rana clamitans) has been successfully introduced and is locally abundant in the southeastern part of the Island. The extant terrestrial mammalian fauna consists of the following: masked shrew (Sorex cinereus), little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), brown bat (Myotis keenii), arctic hare (Lepus arcticus), snowshoe hare, beaver (Castor canadensis), meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), house mouse (Mus musculus), red fox (Vulpes fulva), black bear (Ursus americanus), marten (Martes americana), short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea), mink (Mustela vison), otter (Lutra canadensis), lynx (Lynx canadensis), moose (Alces alces), woodland caribou (Rangifer caribou), and domestic dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, and goats. All are widely distributed and common, except the shrew, arctic hare, and the marten. The shrew was introduced recently near the village of St. Georges. The marten is restricted to timbered areas, and the animal and its sign are seldom seen. The arctic hare is restricted to barren areas and mountaintops not readily accessible to man. The arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and the polar bear (Thalarctos maritimus) are occasional