Peter de Ruyter, age 15, of Telkwa, B.C., for his question:

Is the lynx the same as a bobcat?

Let's trace their pedigrees step by step as they are revealed in the scientific classification of the animal kingdom, Both are backboned animals and hence belong in the phylum Ccirdata   which includes the fishes, the birds, the reptiles, the amphibians and the furry mammals, Both belong in the class Mammalia   which does not include the fishes, the birds, the reptiles or the amphibians: Both belong in the order Carnivore   which means that they are melt eaters. Both belong in the cat family Filidae   which makes them cousins to the lion and the leopard. Both of them belong in the genus Lynx.

In popular terms we call one the Canadian lynx and the other the bobcat or wild cat. In scientific terms, they are both lynxes. The Canadian lynx is known as Lynx lynx and the scientific name of the_bobcat is Lynx rufus. Except for a few surface features, the two animals are very much alike, even in character .

From their scientific names, you might guess that the lynx keeps mostly to Canadian soil and that the bobcat is a red furred animal. These clues are only partially reliable. The lynx, soft coated and mottled grey, is also found in Colorado, Oregon and New England. The bobcat, in an assortment of sizes and colors, appears in most wild regions of the United States, but ha shares a little territory with the lynx north of the Canadian border. In color, the bobcat may be brownish, buff or a blend of reddish chestnut.

In size, the lynxes are bigger than the ocelots and smaller than the leopards. The Canadian cousin is about three feet long and most of the bobcats are somewhat smaller though as a rule a big bobcat weighs about the same as the lynx. Both of them have bob tails and no one could mistake either of these fellows for anything but cats.

If anything, the lynx is somewhat more handsome. His grey mottled fur is certainly softer longer and thicker. His face has the kind of dignified expression which reminds us that he is related to the king of beasts. His ears are long, fluffily tufted and gracefully pointed. His cheeks are fringed with furry ruffs sad those slated cat eyes era gifted with excellent vision. Mr. Bobcat, though handsome in a catty way, is without the cheek ruffs. Both animals have large paws and bask legs longer than the front legs. When standing still, this gives them a gawky look   a fact we forget as soon as they spring into graceful motion.

Neither the lynx nor the bobcat can be counted among our enemies. They devour a great many rats, mice and other rodents who feed on our food supplies. They defend themselves fiercely then attacked but would rather not Fight a human being. Being mammals, these medium sized cats are very highly developed animals. The parents show this in the responsibility they have far their children. The kittens, one to four to a litter, are tended by both parents until they are one year old.