On social media, a viral video showed a black Canada lynx captured on camera for the first time, leaving the internet stunned.
The video featured the rare black Canada lynx relaxing from a distance. It highlighted an extraordinary sighting of a wild animal.
The Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis), a wild feline native to North America, has captivated wildlife enthusiasts with a rare sighting.
While this species is typically known for its light brownish-gray fur, so the appearance of a melanistic (black) lynx is an extraordinary event.
The footage of this black-colored lynx, captured for the first time, has caused a stir on the internet
A black Canada lynx was captured in an incredible video
The video, which initially surfaced in 2022, has recently resurfaced on Reddit, once again thrilling viewers.
The picture showed a Black Canada Lynx was spotted on camera, leaving viewers stunned.
The groundbreaking footage was recorded by Thomas Jung, a researcher from the University of Alberta and an employee of the Government of Yukon.
The footage was captured by using his cell phone.
While, Jung captured the rare sighting in a rural residential neighborhood near Whitehorse, Yukon.
In the video, the black lynx is seen relaxing at a distance of approximately 50 meters.
Despite the presence of people and a dog in the vicinity, the lynx remained calm until the dog’s barking prompted it to flee.
The lynx in the video is rare because of its melanism.
The lynx featured in the video belongs to a very rare category due to its melanism
Melanism, a genetic mutation leading to a black coat, is extremely rare among Canada Lynxes. While the typical fur color is light brownish-gray, this unique variation has sparked considerable interest.
In Jung’s video, the lynx’s black coat has whitish-gray guard hairs. It also features lighter fur on the facial ruff and dorsal regions.
The appearance of melanism raises questions about its evolutionary advantages or disadvantages.
According to Jung, while melanism is a fascinating adaptation, it may actually be maladaptive.
The black coat could hinder the lynx’s ability to camouflage effectively, impacting its survival.
Jug said: ”It had a black coat containing whitish gray guard hairs throughout, as well as whitish-gray hairs in the facial ruff and the rostrum and dorsal regions.”
Expert analysis and ongoing research
The video was detailed in the article titled “Paint it Black: First Record of Melanism in Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis).” This article was published in the journal ‘Mammalia’.
Despite the video’s shaky quality, experts have confirmed the animal’s identity as a Canadian lynx. However, they have yet to fully assess the implications of its melanistic coat.
The rare sighting of the black Canada lynx highlights the diverse genetic variations within wildlife species.
It also shows the ongoing mysteries of animal adaptation.
