A lynx is a wild cat with short tails, long legs, and distinctive tufts of black hair on the tips of its ears. Lynxes usually live in forests or mountains and are skilled hunters.
From Latin 'lynx,' from Greek 'lynx,' probably related to a root meaning 'light' or 'brightness,' possibly referring to the animal’s shining eyes. The name has been used for several related wild cat species.
The lynx’s ear tufts may look decorative, but scientists think they help with hearing or communication. Its name being linked to 'light' shows how ancient people often defined animals by the one feature that most haunted their imagination—in this case, glowing eyes in the dark.
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