Zoo database

Eurasian lynx

Lynx lynx

Natural diet Eurasian lynx

Eurasian lynxes are carnivorous predators. Although largely dependent on the region and availability of prey, they primarily hunt for deer and chamois. Besides this, they may also prey on foxes, rodents and birds.

Vertebrates
Vertebrates

Feeding advice Eurasian lynx

Feed quantity per day

10-15%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 20 kg and eats 12% of its body weight, it will get
 
20 x 0,12 = 2,4 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

99% Meat and whole prey
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0,99 x 2,4 kg = 2.376 g meat and whole prey
0,01 x 2,4 kg = 24 g supplements

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of prey
Whole prey
Supplements

Not recommended

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Thiamine Deficiency
  • Hypovitaminosis A
  • Secondary alimentary hyperparathyroidism

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least one feeding moment per day.
  • Include at least one fasting day per week and slightly increase the diet portion on the day before.
  • The supplements should be given according to the appropriate dosage that is mentioned on the labelling.
  • To promote the oral health, it is important to offer the soft food first and then the hard food such as bones and skin.
  • Stimulate foraging behaviour by hanging, stacking or hiding the feed. For instance by feeding large bones, frozen food or placement in food puzzles (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).