Bobcat

Scientific Name: Lynx rufus

Order: Carnivora (Carnivores)

Family: Felidae

Conservation Status

About

Bobcats are the most common wildcats in North America. A bobcat, like other cats walk so their back feet always match the print of their front feet. This makes their footprints appear as if a two-legged animal created them. Putting their feet in the same spot helps to reduce noise when they are hunting. A bobcat has multiple dens, one of which will be used for hunting. They sit or crouch down in their den, relying on sight and sound to locate prey. Once discovered, they will creep up on their prey, and then attack by sprinting and pouncing on them. A bobcat’s legs and paws allow them to run up to 30 miles per hour. Because a bobcats back legs are longer than its front legs, it has a bobbing-like step. Its distinctive stubby and bobbed cut tail is where the cats name is derived from.

Find me at EPZ

Location: Trail of the Jaguar

Arrived at EPZ: Moose- 12/18/2009

Habitat & Range
The bobcat can be found throughout the United States with the exception of the Midwest. It is also found in Canada and Mexico. They occupy a wide variety of habitats including forests, deserts, mountains, swamps and farmland. Bobcats take shelter in dens in a rock or tree crevice.
Identification
The bobcat is brown with black spots. Its fur may be grayer in winter. It has large ears with slight tufts of hair at the tips. It has a striped ruff of fur on its cheeks and a short tail with a black tip from which it gets its name (stubby or “bobbed” tail). An adult bobcat is about 2 feet tall from feet to shoulders and weighs between 20 and 30 pounds.
Diet
Bobcats are nocturnal hunters that hunt birds, mice, rabbits and other small mammals. Occasionally, they are able to bring down larger prey such as deer.
Reproduction & Lifespan
Most mating between bobcats takes place during February and March. One to 6 kittens are typically born in April or May and stay with their mother until the following mating season begins. Bobcats live to be about 10 to 12 years in the wild and up to 25 years in captivity.
Fantastic Fact
In its natural environment of mountains and forests, a bobcat’s spotted coat serves as camouflage. Adult bobcats must ward off predators such as gray wolves, cougars and coyotes, while owls, eagles or other male bobcats may attack their kittens.

Bobcat

Conservation Status

About

Find me at EPZ

Habitat & Range

Identification

Diet

Reproduction & Lifespan

Fantastic Fact