Ecology of the species
Iberian Lynx
Lynx Pardinus

The Iberian lynx is a distinctive prey specialist, relying on the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) for most of its diet.
Its habitat is restricted to Mediterranean scrubland where there are high populations of rabbits, and its productive breeding areas also include a high density of shrub and grassland vegetation, which favour ecological conditions for rabbits and a suitable structure for lynx hunting. Other essential elements of their habitat include natural cavities that are used as maternal burrows. On the other hand, forest landscapes, farmland or other open land devoid of native shrubs are rarely used by adult lynx, although they may occasionally be used by juvenile lynx during their dispersal.

Classification: Carnivorous mammal from the felidae family.
Length: Between 85 cm and 100 cm.
Morphological features: "Brushes" on the tips of the ears, beards, and a small tail with a black spot.
Height at withers (base of neck): between 40 cm and 50 cm.
Weight: Between 9kg and 15kg (females tend to be smaller than males).
Pelage: Yellowish-brown, with black spots and patches, varying in colour.
Iberian wolf
Canis Lupus Signatus

The wolf lives in various types of habitat and its wide distribution shows the species' ability to adapt to the most extreme habitat conditions, both in terms of natural and human factors. Its habitat has been defined as any place where humans do not chase it and where there is food. When wolves depend on wild ungulates for food, their habitat is the same as that of their prey.
The quality of the habitat must therefore be assessed in terms of human disturbance, prey density and the size of the distribution area. In general, large forest areas are particularly suitable for wolves in Europe, although wolves are not exclusively a forest species.
The wolf has a very diverse diet and is a true generalist, feeding on what is most available in its habitat. In the Iberian Peninsula, the wolf's diet can include large prey such as deer, roe deer and wild boar, as well as small mammals, birds, invertebrates, vegetation and carcasses. The composition of the diet across the geographical area and seasonal variations depend on the relative abundance of potential prey, as well as accessibility and availability. A wolf normally consumes 3-5kg of meat a day, although it can remain fasting for several days when food is not readily available.

Classification: Carnivorous mammal of the canid family.
Length: Between 130 cm and 180 cm, including the tail.
Morphological features: Bulky head with a massive appearance; rigid, triangular and short ears; frontalised, oblique and topaz-coloured eyes. Its limbs are strong and robust, with no fifth toe on its hind legs.
Height at withers (base of neck): between 60 cm and 80 cm.
Weight: Between 25 kg and 40 kg (females tend to be smaller than males).
Pelage: Varies seasonally, being longer, denser and greyer in winter and shorter, sparse and brownish in summer.

References:

MITECO (2022) Estrategia para la conservación y gestión del lobo (Canis lupus) y su convivencia con las actividades del medio rural. Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico. 73 p.

MITECO, ICNF (2023) Censo lince 2023 (España y Portugal). Relatório. Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico, Insituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, 9p.

Rodríguez A, Delibes M (2004) Patterns and causes of non-natural mortality in the Iberian lynx during a 40-year period of range contraction. Biological Conservation 118: 151–161

Pimenta V, Barroso I, Álvares F, Barros T, Borges C, Cadete D, Carneiro C, Casimiro J, Ferrão da Costa G, Ferreira E, Fonseca C, García EJ, Gil P, Godinho R, Hipólito D, Llaneza L, Marcos Perez A, Martí-Domken B, Monzón A, Nakamura M, Palacios V, Paulino C, Pereira J, Pereira A, PetrucciFonseca F, Pinto S, Rio-Maior H, Roque S, Sampaio M, Santos J, Serronha A, Simões F, Torres RT (2023) Situação populacional do lobo em Portugal: resultados do censo nacional de 2019/2021. ICNF, Lisboa.

Pimenta V, Barroso I, Álvares F, Correia J, Ferrão da Costa G, Moreira L, Nascimento J, PetrucciFonseca F, Roque S, Santos E (2005) Situação populacional do lobo em Portugal: resultados do censo nacional 2002/2003. Relatório técnico. Instituto da Conservação da Natureza/Grupo Lobo, 158 p.

Sarmento P, Lopes-Fernandes M (2023) Lynx pardinus Lince-ibérico. In: Mathias ML (coord), Fonseca C, Rodrigues L, Grilo C, M. Lopes-Fernandes M, Palmeirim JM, Santos-Reis M, Alves PC, Cabral JA, Ferreira M, Mira A, Eira C, Negrões N, Paupério J, Pita R, Rainho A, Rosalino LM, Tapisso JT, Vingada J (eds). Livro Vermelho dos Mamíferos de Portugal Continental. FCiências.ID, ICNF, pp. 234–235

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