Lynx and Snowshoe Hare

Lynx and snowshoe hare are a classic predator-prey pair found in North American boreal forests. The lynx is a stealthy, specialized feline predator that primarily hunts snowshoe hares, which are medium-sized, agile rodents adapted to snowy environments with large, furry paws that act like snowshoes. Their populations are tightly linked: when hare numbers increase, lynxes thrive due to abundant food; when hare numbers decline, lynxes reduce in number as food becomes scarce. This interaction creates regular cycles in their populations, illustrating predator-prey dynamics and ecosystem balance.