In Eurasia, some wild cats and dogs have to compete for the same territory and prey. I am referring to the Eurasian lynx and Eurasian wolf. When these two animals meet, who will come out on top in a lynx vs wolf fight? Who will win?
Lynx vs Wolf: Fact Sheet
| Eurasian Lynx | Eurasian Wolf | |
| Size | weight 12 – 32 kg height 55 – 75 cm length 87 – 130 cm | weight 39 – 79 kg height 80 – 85 cm length 105 – 160 cm |
| Speed | 30 mph | 40 mph |
| Attack | sharp canines sharp 3.8 cm claws | bite force 400 psi canines 6.3 cm long |
| Habitat | Eurasia: woodlands forests mountains | Eurasia: woodlands forests mountains |
| Diet | carnivore | carnivore |
| Lifespan | 13 – 17 years | 8 – 13 years |
| Predators | none | none |
Lynx vs Wolf: Size
The Eurasian lynx is the largest of the four species of lynx. Their body shape is stocky, with long legs and pointy ears. They can weigh as little as 12 kg (26.5 lbs), with the heaviest being 32 kg (70.5 lbs). They have a shoulder height of 55 – 75 cm (21.6 – 29.5 in). Their body length is 76 – 106 cm (30 – 41.7 in), and their stumpy tail is 11 – 24.5 cm (4 – 9.6 in) long.
The Eurasian wolf has a slim but toned build. Their average weight is 39 kg (86 lbs). More prominent individuals have been recorded weighing 69 – 79 kg (152 – 174 lbs). Have a total length, including the tail, of 105 – 160 cm (41 – 63 in) and a shoulder height of 80 – 85 cm (32 – 33.5 in).
Lynx vs Wolf: Movement Speed
The lynx uses quick bursts of speed of up to 30 mph (48 kph) to catch its prey. They have powerful legs that can propel them nearly 2 m (6.5 ft) high and leap 7.6 m (25 ft) from a stationary position.
Wolves are faster and able to reach a top speed of nearly 40 mph (63 kph). The wolf is built to pursue prey over long distances, so they have a lot of stamina.
Lynx vs Wolf: Attack Power
The wolf has a bite force of 400 psi. The Eurasian lynx has never had its bite measured. By comparing the size of the lynx to other wild cats, its bite force is similar to the wolf.
The lynx has curved claws that are 3.8 cm (1.5 in) long which helps them hang on to their prey. They like to scan the surrounding area by climbing up to a vantage point like a rock or tree. They are powerful predators able to take down deer five times their weight successfully.
The wolf has shorter claws, 2 – 3 cm (0.8 – 1.2in), but it does not use them to take down its prey. Instead, it relies solely on its teeth to kill its target using its large canines of 6.3 cm (2.5 in).
If that wasn’t enough, wolves have strength in numbers by living in a pack containing 2 – 15 wolves. By working as a team, they can quickly take down their prey. A lone wolf is still a formidable opponent able to take down prey twice their size.
Lynx vs Wolf: Differences
The most significant difference is that the Eurasian wolf can be twice as heavy as the Eurasian lynx. The other notable difference is that both animals belong to different animal families.
The Eurasian lynx is a cat from the Felidae family, a solitary animal that hunts alone. The Eurasian wolf is the complete opposite being a pack animal that lives and hunts as a group. They are also from the Canidae family.
Lynx vs Wolf Who Would Win In A Fight?
The wolf would win in a one-on-one fight between the Eurasian lynx and the Eurasian wolf. The lynx may have the advantage in agility, being able to dodge the wolf’s attacks for so time, but it can not outrun the wolf. All the wolf needs are one well-placed bite on the lynx’s leg, and it won’t be able to escape.
The lynx’s best chance of survival is to find something to climb up to get out of the wolf’s reach and wait for the wolf to give up and move on. In Russia, wolves are known to kill lynx that do not manage to find a tree or rocky cliff to escape up. So you see, a lynx doesn’t stand a chance against a wolf in a fight.
Related Wolf Articles