Bobcats (Lynx rufus)

Bobcats (Lynx rufus)

If you like to go outdoors, you may have spotted an elusive bobcat (Lynx rufus). Learn more about these wild cats in today’s TrueTreeTalk blog post.

Hunting & Diet 

Bobcats are carnivorous ambush predators. They hunt a variety of prey including rabbits, rodents, birds, and occasionally small deer. When the opportunity arises, they will also prey on other wildlife such as insects, reptiles, and fish. They prefer to hunt in open areas of forests, such as clearings or young pine groves. 

Unique Characteristics 

Bobcats can be identified by their short, bobbed tails, giving them their name. They have tufted ears with white spots and ruffs of fur on the sides of their faces. Their coats are typically a shade of brown, reddish-brown, or gray. In terms of size, they’re larger than domestic cats, but smaller than cougars. One particularly unique characteristic is their paw prints, which are distinct from other carnivores in their habitat.  Unlike these other carnivores, bobcats don’t leave claw marks with their prints.

Behavior

Bobcats are solitary and territorial. Aside from mating seasons, adult bobcats rarely interact with one another. They commonly mark their territory with claw marks, urine, and feces. Males and females may overlap in territory, but females generally do not overlap with one another. Mothers raise litters of kittens alone and kittens are born between April and June. Kittens don’t disperse until their first fall or the next spring.

Role in Ecosystems 

By regulating populations of small mammals and birds, bobcats prevent overgrazing that might damage the regeneration of vegetation. They use fully grown trees and canopies as spots for rest during the day between hunts. They are highly adaptable and can survive in most North American environments. Their range extends from southern Canada, across almost all of the United States, and into central Mexico.

Relationship to Humans

Bobcats are elusive to humans generally but can be found near human communities. Their adaptability and diverse prey selection has enabled them to live in suburban and agricultural environments.

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