Co-author Irina Rotenko
In mammals, it’s not unusual for grownup males to help moms or interact in steady fathering, and the lynx species Lynx lynx exhibits such conduct as effectively.
Till just lately, this kind of lynx conduct was not documented in Europe. Over the previous decade, there was a gradual enhance in recorded situations of mom lynx tolerating presence of grownup male lynx close by; grownup female and male with out kittens staying and searching collectively; and grownup male lynx aiding a mom lynx in acquiring meals. These findings have been first revealed within the e book “Behaviour and Ecology of the Eurasian Lynx” (Sidorovich, 2022) and in a put up on this weblog.
Our preliminary findings on the enigmatic conduct of lynxes have captured the eye of each specialists and amateurs. Practically three years have elapsed since these outcomes have been revealed, and in that point, we’ve managed to assemble extra pertinent knowledge on the topic. Consequently, with all of the collected knowledge thought of, we goal to current our insights and conclusions concerning the interactions between mom lynxes (or grownup females with out offspring) and grownup male lynxes through the non-mating season.
We goal to current the next theses on the relationships between each sexes of lynxes throughout non-mating seasons in Belarus, noting whether or not it’s extra of a conceptual notion or an precise discovering:
(1) Discovering: Virtually all grownup males not sometimes interact in non permanent associations with grownup or subadult females, which embody cooperative searching. Nonetheless, throughout walking-marking days, grownup males function solo, whereas the feminine both stays inside the male’s house vary or ranges independently.
(2) Discovering: Grownup male usually present meals for the mom and her kittens, which keep inside his territory. This provision of meals is usually achieved by searching prey within the housing space—one of many generally utilized zones inside the household’s vary. After killing the prey, the grownup male conceals it, then vigorously marks the close by space and vocalizes loudly.
(3) Partly Thought and Partly Discovering: Nearly all of grownup males assist moms inside their house ranges to acquire meals, though the extent of help varies amongst moms. Some moms might not obtain any assist from grownup males. Usually, grownup males present meals help primarily through the denning interval and within the winter.
(4) Thought: The common presence of an grownup male in household dwelling areas can provide a type of safety towards wolf aggression.
(5) Discovering: We now have registered on three events that through the mating season, the identical feminine has mated with two totally different males. Consequently, it’s potential for an grownup male to help a mom in elevating kittens sired by one other male.
(6) Thought: The motivation for grownup males to supply such help is to draw grownup females into their territories and acquire their tolerance. Throughout the mating season, these efforts by grownup males can result in elevated mating alternatives.
(7) Discovering: The dying of an grownup male results in a disruption within the established distribution of grownup females, whether or not they have kittens or not. Most moms with kittens select to relocate, and the territory of the deceased grownup male is slowly taken over by subadults. Over time, a brand new grownup male will set up a distinct house vary from the one utilized by the deceased. The method of attracting grownup females by this new grownup male is gradual.
Whereas our findings present precious insights, a lot stays to be studied in regards to the advanced interactions between grownup female and male lynxes. Continued analysis will assist us additional perceive these behaviors.