Lynxes captured dipping their prey in water, leaving experts surprised

A rare behaviour by large wild cats recently led scientists to rethink predator behaviour. The surprising discovery in the wild was captured during a routine wildlife study in central Spain. Camera traps set showed Iberian lynxes bringing deceased rabbits to watering spots and submerging them before leaving the area.

Though the practice seems odd, scientists consider it unprecedented, as it is the first time a carnivore has been observed dipping its prey in water. In the research documented in Ecology in March 2026, Wai-Ming Wong, director of small-cat conservation science at Panthera, said in a conversation that this is very fascinating and certainly a surprising discovery.

He revealed that wild cats are usually regarded as instinctive predators, and it's pretty amazing to observe a specific specimen altering their prey-handling techniques. The latest discovery has opened the door to a first-of-its-kind behaviour observed in the animal.

What scientists discovered about Iberian lynxes

Scientists from the Spanish National Research Council have been monitoring Iberian lynxes in the Montes de Toledo since 2014. Their aim was to investigate the animal's survival rate, reproductive habits, and mobility patterns.

In 2020, a camera trap captured the behaviour of a female lynx named Naia, who carried a rabbit to a water trough and submerged the prey. The initial observation suggested this might be an anomaly. But from 2020 to 2025, eight such instances were observed across five different lynxes.

In all these cases, the time spent by lynxes in submerging the prey ranged anywhere from one minute to more than four minutes. In all instances, the lynxes found to do this were female, and after submerging the rabbits, they removed them from the water.

An activity not performed before by any carnivore

Soaking of food is something which is already known and practised by many other species. Raccoons are known for washing their food to aid texture discrimination. Monkeys also clean their food items so as to remove dirt from them. Even some birds indulge in the practice of soaking their food.

But in most cases, either omnivorous animals or those in captivity exhibit such behaviour. There has been no prior record of carnivores manipulating their prey. According to Wong, the latest discovery is significant as it shows that their newly developed behaviour involves problem-solving.

Reason behind lynxes' actions

So far, scientists have been trying to determine why this unusual action happens. It is suspected that the reason is to hydrate the body by drinking the water retained from soaking. After performing various experiments, researchers have often concluded that immersing a dead rabbit in water increases the weight by almost 4 percent.

Another theory highlights the basic needs of parenthood. According to this, cubs of the Iberian lynx are dependent on their mothers. Experts believe that immersing the dead rabbit could make it easier for babies to eat solid food once they have moved past nursing.

According to a press release by the Institute for Game and Wildlife Research, the lead author, Jose Jimenez, explained that his capacity for adaptation and social learning of new hunting strategies is unusual in wild felines.

It was also observed in this study that lynxes exhibiting such behaviour were in overlapping areas or were relatives. Most evidence suggests that these kinds of behaviours are learned rather than instinctive. Experts believe that if other individuals observe and copy the behaviour, it can spread within a population.Conservation of the Iberian lynx

Counted among the world's rarest wild cats, the endangered species had fewer than 100 individuals recorded in 2002, according to conservation statistics. The cat feeds mainly on European rabbits, comprising up to 80 percent of their food intake. The number of rabbits has been reduced by various diseases and changes in the natural environment.

Additionally, lynxes' natural habitat has been severely fragmented due to the expansion of cities and agricultural fields. There is another trend that affects Iberian lynxes negatively is climate change.

Scientists believe that this unusual behaviour could be beneficial for lynxes coping with new conditions. Soaking the prey could help maintain proper hydration or more efficient nutrition for lynxes, especially for the newborn kittens, who would face a lack of moisture in the latter part of the year.