A solitary cat that roams the remote forests of Northern areas, the lynx is naturally prepared to survive harsh winters with little help. Its thick, heavy fur provides protection against harsh breezes and fans out at the foot to create a natural snowshoe. With little sprouts of extra hair that extend from the tips of its ears, the lynx has an excellent sense of hearing that aids in hunting for food.
The lynx is often used as a symbol of secret knowledge and intuition. The big cat's eyesight is so strong it can spot a mouse 250 feet away in the snow and a curious pattern in the fur around the mouth makes the animal appear to express a mysterious smile, almost as if it has a secret. It's not surprising that many cultures believe the lynx has the supernatural ability to hear the thoughts of others; the lynx's intuition and attention to its surroundings provide great power and agility.
In the Himalayas the elusive lynx has earned the title "ghost cat" because its nighttime activity is so rarely seen. A nocturnal hunter and lone predator, the lynx is surprisingly small in size compared to other wild cats.
Some believe that the name Lynx is derived from the Greek word leukos, meaning bright, because of the way the lynx's eyes shine at night when they catch the light.