Think of a cat that can vanish into the forest without a sound—that's the Eurasian lynx, pictured here in Siberia. With its tufted ears and a piercing gaze, this feline is the largest of the four lynx species. Stretching more than 100 centimetres in length and standing over 70 centimetres tall at the shoulder, it is built for power and precision. Its padded paws aren't just for sneaking; they act like snowshoes, spreading its weight so it can chase down prey in deep winter drifts. Mostly a nocturnal hunter, it spends its days tucked away in thickets or rocky dens, venturing out under the cover of darkness to stalk deer, hares and squirrels.

The lynx lives a solitary life. Males and females carve out their own territories, marking them with scratches and scent—like secret notes left in the forest. Their elusive nature did not protect them from humans: during the 1970s and '80s, thousands of lynx pelts were exported from Russia and China, pushing populations toward dangerous lows. Though fur trade restrictions have eased the pressure, poaching, habitat loss and shrinking prey numbers still pose threats today.