Photos: Canada's wild cats

Canada has three species of wild cats -- the lynx, the bobcat and the cougar or mountain lion, and all of them are beautiful. Today is national cat day, so it's a good excuse to get re-acquainted with these incredible creatures.

Here's a primer on Canada's amazing cats, along with photos sent in by Weather Network viewers.

THE LYNX

The lynx is the most widespread wild cat in Canada, and is best identified by its tufted ears and large paws, although they are sometimes mistaken for bobcats.

It is not an endangered species and has plenty of space to roam, with a total North American range of 7.7 million km2  -- although some of that range has been lost to deforestation and human activity.

01lynx

Submitted by Gerry Pocha, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

UGC - lynx family Melody McKenzie

Submitted by Melody McKenzie, Haines Junction, Yukon

UGC Lynx Stanley Plaskett

Submitted by Stanley Plaskett, Kapuskasing, Ontario

THE BOBCAT

Bobcats live along southern portions of the country, although they are starting to move northward due to loss of habitat to deforestation.

They're considered the most successful wild cat species in Canada, with a large range and a healthy population.

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UGC - baby bobcat laura dann

Submitted by Laura Dann, Gagetown, New Brunswick

UGC bobcat Gerald Davis

Submitted by Gerald M. Davis, Stewiacke, Nova Scotia

UGC bobcat jan

Submitted by Jan, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

THE COUGAR OR MOUNTAIN LION

The mountain lion is evenly distributed throughout Canada and is not considered an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

It is protected against hunting along most of its range, although regulated hunting is still permitted in parts of Canada and the U.S.

It is by far the largest wild cat in Canada with males weighing up to 220 lbs. Bobcats and lynxes typically weigh less than 30 lbs.

UGC cougar karthik Raghavun

Submitted by Karthik Raghavun, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

UGC cougar mountain lion Gerry Pocha

Submitted by Gerry Pocha, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

VIDEO: CANADIAN LYNX SCREAM AT EACH OTHER ON THE ROAD