The Eurasian lynx is a solitary cat that haunts the remote northern forests of Europe. It is the third largest predator in Europe, after the Brown Bear and Wolf. Lynx are covered with beautiful thick tawny fur with faint spots. Their large paws are also furry and hit the ground with a spreading toe motion that makes them function as natural snowshoes. They are about the size of a collie dog – far bigger than a domestic cat but smaller than the wolves. They have short black-tipped tails and long back legs for jumping. Their ears have long tufts to aid hearing. These stealthy cats avoid humans and hunt at night, so they are rarely seen. Lynx became extinct in Britain due to hunting for their fur and habitat loss. They have been absent from this country for at least 1500 years.