Lucivee (or Lusifee) is a wildcat spirit of northern Wabanaki folklore. Many consider this animal to be one of the more elusive of the northern boreal forests - the Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis). This shy and reclusive mid-sized carnivore is rarely seen by humans, although it is often present in the boreal/hardwood forest ecotone found in parts of Maine. Federally threatened, and a state species of special concern, this magical cat is easily mistaken for a bobcat. The lynx is shown above, the bobcat is below.
The lynx is about the same size as the bobcat to slightly larger, topping out between 15 and 30 pounds. They are sexually dimorphic, with males being larger and "beefier" than females. The Canada Lynx also nicknamed the loup cervier as well as the Indian Devil and is the source of much folklore as the ghost of the forest. It can be hard at a glance to tell the lynx and the bobcat apart -- but the ear tufts are longer in the lynx (larger than an inch, vs less than an inch for the bobcat), a larger facial ruff than the bobcat with more distinct black banding, the lynx tail is entirely black at the tip whereas the bobcat is white on the underside, and then the big one -- the FEET! Lynx walk on giant snowshoes, being residents of heavy snow regions -- look at these feet!
In Maine, Lynx are most commonly found in regions where the snow depths are often the highest in the state - including Aroostook and Piscataquis counties, and the northern parts of Penobscot, Somerset, Franklin, and Oxford Counties. The are often found in the spruce/fir flats- along with their favorite prey -- the snowshoe hare! LOOK at those FEET! Don't they remind you of the Snowshoe Hare? Predator and prey - similar habitats and similar adaptations, how cool is that?
Lynx are generally, well, very cat-like. Despite their penetrating eyes and reputation of ferocious hunters, they are otherwise very much like your family feline. The large feet and sharp claws allow for a stealthy approach on their favorite prey - Snowshoe Hare make up over 75% of their winter diet, with grouse, small mammals, and squirrels thrown in to round out the meals. Lynx are ambush hunters - unlike coyotes who put on a lot of mileage looking for prey, lynx find a promising habitat (and preferably, a hare run) and will sit patiently and wait. When an unsuspecting hare wanders past, they will explode into action, resulting in a rapid and generally short pursuit. On average, if they are not feeding young, they will eat 1-2 hares per day.
Although lynx were once considered to be nocturnal, they are now known to be active at all hours of the day and night. Males are generally solitary, other than during breeding season when territories will overlap with females. The females will share their territory with their kittens, cooperatively hunting to maximize success. The actual size of the range will vary according to the population of hares, the preferred food source. Starting in February and March, the males will increase their movements looking for females. Gestation is about 60-65 days, and litters of 1-5 kittens are born in dens under thick young firs or elevated downed logs. By July, they are able to travel with their mother to learn the skills they need to be successful hunters, and will disperse from their mom the following spring.
This dispersal is likely responsible for the apparent increase in range of the Canada Lynx in Maine, with animals now appearing increasingly to the eastern and southern parts of their former ranges. Lynx have even been seen in New Hampshire and Vermont - including a female with kittens - so it does appear that they are expanding their range. Their population - and ability to disperse - will fluctuate with the cycle of the snowshoe hare, which is very cyclic. When the hare is at population lows, the cats will travel further in search of food and have fewer kittens. In a strong hare population year, dispersal is less significant.
These amazing and reclusive creatures are perfectly adapted for camouflage in the dappled forests in which they hunt. For many, the only direct interaction they may have are with the massive tracks of these snowshoe-wielding felines. If you find a cat track in snow that is nearing (or even topping!) 5 inches X 5 inches - start looking for a beautiful cat, blending in with it's environment.