The North American lynx species known as the Canada Lynx, or Lynx canadensis, is indigenous to Canada and some regions of the United States.
Despite typically having a light brownish-gray fur coat, there have been reports of black-furred individuals among the Canada Lynx.
The black-colored type had never been captured on camera, but in 2022, a lucky individual managed to take some pictures that quickly went viral.
The creature was eventually captured by a Canadian researcher from the University of Alberta. Thomas Jung, a Yukon government worker, recorded a video of the animal on his phone.
Paint it black: A Mammalia article detailing the discovery was the first to document melanism in Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis).
The video was shot in a rural residential area close to Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon. At a distance of about 50 meters, the lynx can be seen lounging in the video. There were some people and a dog nearby, and the lynx eventually ran away when the dog started to bark. The Canada lynx behaves like a solitary, solitary animal.
Despite being able to recognize the animal as a Canada lynx, experts on the species were unable to see many distinctive characteristics in the shaky video.
According to Jung, “It had a black coat with whitish gray guard hairs all over and whitish gray hairs in the facial ruff, the rostrum, and the dorsal regions. ”.
The majority of lynx species have similar coat colors, with Canada lynx frequently spotted in the winter with its silvery gray fur. They frequently exhibit reddish brown coloring in the summer.
The lynx in the video is an unusual species because of the range of colors in its coat.
According to Jung, variations like these are frequently adaptations that may be helpful (adaptive) or harmful (maladaptive) to evolution.
Scientists have not established any benefits or drawbacks of melanosis in any animal. However, Jung views the lynx’s trait as maladaptive because it prevents it from using crucial camouflage. The animal’s darker hair would likely stand out in the snow while it was hunting in the winter.
Wow, we find it difficult to believe such a rare creature was captured on camera. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!