Canada Lynx
Canada LynxCanada LynxCanada LynxCanada Lynx

Canada Lynx

Lynx canadensis

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
5–10% · With luck
overall probability at Banff National Park
22 Verified records at Banff National Park
February Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) or Canadian lynx is one of the four living species in the genus Lynx. It is a medium-sized wild cat characterized by long, dense fur, triangular ears with black tufts at the tips, and broad, snowshoe-like paws. Its hindlimbs are longer than the forelimbs, so its back slopes downward to the front. The Canada lynx stands 48–56 cm (19–22 in) tall at the shoulder and weighs between 5 and 17 kg (11 and 37 lb). It is a good swimmer and an agile climber. The Canada lynx was first described by Robert Kerr in 1792. Wikipedia →

5–10% of wildlife watchers report a Canada Lynx sighting in Banff National Park, based on 22 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Banff National Park

Mountain Lion
LC

Mountain Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Puma concolor

5–10% · With luck
American Black Bear
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

40–50% · Likely
Brown Bear
LC Endemic

Brown Bear

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Ursus arctos

20–30% · Possible
Coyote
LC Endemic

Coyote

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis latrans

20–30% · With luck
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

10–20% · With luck
American Marten
LC Endemic

American Marten

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Martes americana

10–20% · With luck
Gray Wolf
LC Endemic

Gray Wolf

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis lupus

5–10% · With luck
Northern River Otter
LC Endemic

Northern River Otter

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lontra canadensis

5–10% · With luck
🐒 No photo available
LC

Striped Skunk

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Mephitis mephitis

5–10% · With luck
Stoat
LC Endemic

Stoat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Mustela erminea

5–10% · Rare
Wolverine
LC

Wolverine

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Gulo gulo

<5% · Rare
Least Weasel
LC Endemic

Least Weasel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Mustela nivalis

Insufficient data

📅 Monthly Probability

10–20
Jan
20–30
Feb
20–30
Mar
10–20
Apr
<5
May
<5
Jun
<5
Jul
<5
Aug
<5
Sep
10–20
Oct
10–20
Nov
10–20
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Katmai National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
2 Kluane National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
20–30%
3 Gros Morne National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
10–20%
4 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
5 Denali National Park 🇺🇸 United States
5–10%
6 Riding Mountain National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
5–10%
7 Banff National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
5–10%
8 Jasper National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
5–10%
9 Glacier National Park 🇺🇸 United States
5–10%
10 Great Bear Rainforest 🇨🇦 Canada
<5%
11 Gates of the Arctic National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data
12 Wood Buffalo National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
Insufficient data
13 Isle Royale National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Canada Lynx in Banff National Park?

About 7% of wildlife watchers report a Canada Lynx sighting in Banff National Park, based on 22 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Canada Lynx in Banff National Park?

February has the highest sighting rate for Canada Lynx in Banff National Park in our monthly data.

← Back to Banff National Park