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THE GREAT OUTDOORS — Melanism is a mutation that can occur in animals, where an increase of dark pigment makes their coats appear black. In some species, it is commonplace. With others, it's a rare mutation that threatens survival.
The Canada lynx falls into this latter camp, as there are multiple reasons why life would be hard for a dark-coated lynx. For starters, their primary prey is the snowshoe hare. During the winter months, a melanistic Canada lynx would have a difficult time blending into the snowy surroundings while stalking food.
But researchers have announced the first record of a melanistic Canada lynx. Check out this fascinating video.
This encounter reportedly took place near Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. And from the loud barking in the video, it seems that even the homeowner's dog knew that it was watching history unfold.
"Canada lynx are a common species in the Nearctic boreal forest, extending southward into sub-boreal regions, and they are commonly observed by the public," explains an article published in Mammalia. "Moreover, thousands of Canada lynx are harvested annually by fur trappers across much of their distributional range. Despite being commonly observed and targeted in the fur harvest, no previous reports of a melanistic Canada lynx exist; hence, this is the first known record."
Life might not be easy for this unique lynx, but it's definitely a wonder to behold. Here's hoping that it has a great winter hunting season and is able to eat as many snowshoe hares as its heart desires.
