Queens Zoo keepers are hoping that Venus, a Canadian lynx and a long-time resident of the zoo, has met her purr-fect match: Lazarus.

So far, Laz is proving to be a typical cat: he spends most of his day sleeping, grooming, playing, and jumping. But the Canadian lynx is anything but a typical tabby. These cats are built to withstand harsh conditions, with their large paws and stocky bodies that can weigh up to 31 pounds. The stiff hair tufts on the ends of their ears are thought to improve hearing—a key hunting skill, as they listen for signs of their favorite prey, the snowshoe hare. Some scientists believe the ear tufts serve as a second set of whiskers, to help the lynx feel things around itself.

Lynx are often mistaken for another wild cat, the bobcat. Although similar, they are distinct species. Lynx are found in the northern forests of the United States and Canada, while the more compact-bodied bobcat lives in American swamp and desert regions.

Lynx and Venus are getting along well, and can be seen climbing trees, pouncing on toys, and bounding through tall grasses in their exhibit on the Woodland Trail.