Belarus - Lynx & Kitten - Swarovski Crystal Eyes - 20 Rubles - 2008 - Proof Silver Crown - COA - An Endangered species, the Eurasian Lynx is the largest of the four lynx species with an average weight of forty to fifty-five pounds. Its habitat ranges from central and northern Europe across Asia. Usually solitary, although occasionally small groups of lynx may travel and hunt together. Mating takes place in the late winter and it gives birth to two to six kittens once a year. The gestation time of lynx is about 70 days. The young stay with the mother for one more winter, a total of around nine months, before they move out to live on their own as young adults. Adult lynx will give their young the prey to play with it before they eat it, thus honing their hunting skills. Lynx will create their dens in crevices or under ledges. They feed on a wide range of animals from white-tailed deer, reindeer, roe deer, small red deer, and chamois, to smaller, more usual prey: snowshoe hares, fish, fox, sheep, pets, squirrels, mice, birds and goats. This beautiful proof silver crown was issued by authority of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus and was minted from one ounce of .999 fine silver. As an added element, two Swarovski crystals were embedded to form the feline’s eyes. Total mintage on this 20 Ruble legal tender coin was limited to 8,000 pieces. It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.