Britannica Sources used in this answer

What are the six proposed subspecies of Eurasian lynx?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Based on genetic differences, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Cat Specialist Group has proposed six subspecies of the Eurasian lynx:

  • Northern lynx (L. l. lynx): Found in northern Europe and western Siberia.
  • Carpathian lynx (L. l. carpathicus): Located in the Carpathian Mountains, as well as eastern and central Europe.
  • Balkan lynx (L. l. balcanicus): Native to the Balkans.
  • Caucasus lynx (L. l. dinniki): Inhabits the Caucasus Mountains, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran.
  • Turkestan lynx (L. l. isabellinus): Found in Central Asia and the Himalayas.
  • Siberian lynx (L. l. wrangeli): Ranges across Siberia, from east of the Yenisey River in central Russia to China.1