Canadian scientists have filmed the first-ever video of a melanistic Canada lynx, a genetic rarity caused by excess pigmentation that gives the animal a deep black coat instead of its usual gray or reddish-brown. One expert called the sight “stunning,” as the lynx’s dark fur contrasted sharply with the snowy background in the cell phone footage.

While mesmerizing, scientists warn that such coloring may be a disadvantage in snowy regions, making the lynx more visible to predators and prey. Survival could depend on adapting hunting tactics and using terrain for concealment.

The sighting has renewed debate about climate change’s role in melanism. A 2014 study suggested darker pigmentation might become more common with rising temperatures and changing habitats, possibly signaling subtle environmental shifts already underway.

Public fascination has been intense, with many describing the lynx as “mythical.” Biologists stress that rare sightings like this highlight genetic diversity’s importance to ecosystem health.

The lynx’s sleek coat, tufted ears, and graceful movements have become a symbol of both resilience and fragility in nature—a reminder of the surprises still hidden in remote wilderness and the urgent need to protect such habitats.