Canada lynxes shelter under rock ledges, fallen trees, or shrubs and live in forest, grassland, rocky areas, or tundra across Canada, Alaska, and some areas of the northern contiguous United States. They feed primarily on snowshoe hares, but also eat small mammals, birds, and fish. Because they predominately prey on snowshoe hares, their population cycles are closely linked, so when hare populations are strong, lynx numbers are stable, litters are large, and adults and kittens are healthy. Adapted for life in their northern boreal forest home, they have large, furry paws that act like snowshoes in deep snow, long, thick spotted fur that serves as camouflage, short stubby tails that do not get snagged on low branches, and tall bodies with long legs that allow them to bound through snow after prey. This species has been exploited for its beautiful, thick fur since the 17th century, and trapping for fur coats remains one of the biggest threats to its population.