Felis isabellina was the scientific name proposed by Edward Blyth in 1847, upon his examination of a lynx skin from Tibet.

[5] The Turkestan lynx occurs in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ladakh, Nepal, Bhutan and the Tibetan region of China.

It lives mostly at higher elevations, in open woodland and steppe habitats with rocky slopes, caves and multiple safe hiding places.

[6][7] In Kazakhstan, the Turkestan lynx occurs in the Tian Shan and Dzungarian Alatau Mountains, which play a significant role in maintaining the stability of the population in its northwestern range.

[10][11] It is listed as Endangered in China,[12] Turkmenistan,[13] Tajikistan[14] and as Vulnerable in Nepal,[15] Kazakhstan[16] and Uzbekistan.