The study took place across six sites in southern Mongolia encompassing mountainous, semi-desert steppe and desert landscapes where cameras captured evidence of one or both species. Researchers specifically sought to better understand how the presence of the larger snow leopard affected how the smaller Eurasian lynx (note: Eurasian lynx and Canadian lynx are distinct species) used its habitat and adapted its behavior. They assumed snow leopards were the dominant species in their shared spaces since they are roughly twice the size of their smaller cousins. Adult snow leopards weigh 34-46 kg, compared to Eurasian lynx which are smaller, but show a great variation in body mass, with reports ranging from 16-34 kg.
Their research highlighted two main things: how likely lynx were to use an area when snow leopards were present and when absent and how each species used the landscape independently. They also looked at how features like mountains and vegetation affected where both animals could be found. Beyond habitat use, the two species most likely also overlap (to some extent) in their choice of prey. While the lynx’s diet in this area is unknown, there are not too many prey species to choose from, and the authors assume there must be some overlap.
Between 2017 and 2022, 619 instances of snow leopards were captured in 142 camera trap sites, and 68 instances of lynx were recorded at 31 sites. Snow leopards and lynx were both photographed at six of these camera trap sites. The data indicate that lynx are the subordinate species in this relationship. The researchers posit that lynx are likely adapting their behavior to avoid competition with snow leopards and possibly even avoid deadly encounters with the larger cats.
Where snow leopards were present, lynx favored rugged areas with shrubs (possibly used to avoid snow leopards) or were pushed to flatter steppe areas. Where no snow leopards were present, lynx seemed indifferent to the terrain’s ruggedness or the presence of shrubberies. This spatial separation likely allows the two cat species to coexist here, and the findings align with other known instances of a larger predator influencing the behavior and space-use of a smaller predator. Our earlier research in the Alay Mountains of Kyrgyzstan had similarly indicated that there might be a negative relationship, although a weak one, between the occurrence of snow leopards and lynx in a given area.
However, in our recent study, since lynx have been so sparsely studied in this region, we cannot determine whether these changes in behavior benefit the cats overall. While lynx seem less “choosy” about their habitat requirements, it does appear that the high visibility in alpine habitats could hinder a species that, in other parts of its vast range, tends to favor forests. The presence of snow leopards may restrict lynx to use very specific habitats which are either less frequented by snow leopards, or where lynx can be better concealed. Further west, lynx were nearly extinct from most of Europe until very recent efforts to reintroduce the species beyond heavily forested, remote areas.
The researchers conclude that further investigation is needed to understand the specific ecological requirements required by lynx across their vast range, specifically in Asia. This will help us develop effective conservation strategies for both lynx and snow leopards across their shared habitat.
Read the full paper here.
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Photo credits: Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation (Mongolia), Snow Leopard Foundation (Kyrgyzstan)
Acknowledgments: We are thankful to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Government of Mongolia, and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences for supporting our work and to the Tost Rangers for their skilled work in the field.
SLT would also like to acknowledge: Acton Family Giving, Bioparc Zoo de Doue la Fontaine, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, Disney Conservation Fund, Fondation Segré, Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, Kolmarden Zoo, Korkeasaari Zoo, National Geographic Society, Nordens Ark, Play for Nature, Tierpark Berlin, The Big Cat Sanctuary/Wildlife Heritage Foundation, Tulsa Zoo, Whitley Fund for Nature, Zoo Basel, Zoo Dresden, and Zoo New England.
Thank you to all the many committed partners who have supported our research in Mongolia along with our Long-term Ecological Study since it began in 2008. We could not do this work without you.