Apparently the tufts assist in enhancing their already remarkable hearing. Their eyesight is just as good and they can by all accounts spot a mouse at 250 yards.
The tufts appear on alimited number of cats all belonging to the Felis Group - The Canadian (or N American) and European Lynx, The Bobcat and the African Cararcal. The European Lynx is in decline despite a reintroduction programme mainly due to revenge killings by farmers and a genetic problem that has reduced the numbers of males being born.
