Bobcat

Lynx rufus

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia

Abundance: Common

Habitat: Forest

Activity: Nocturnal (Active at night)

Lifespan: Up to 12 years

A nocturnal wild cat that is named for its short or “bobbed” tail. Bobcats have reddish-brown fur with black spots, white bellies, large paws, tufted ears, and weigh between 15 and 35 lbs. Bobcats feed on small mammals and birds and play an important role in controlling rodent and rabbit populations.

Diet

Carnivores which hunt rodents, rabbits, small ungulates, large ground birds, and sometimes reptiles

Activity Pattern

Nocturnal (Active at night)

Kingdom: Animalia

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Phylum: Chordata

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Class: Mammalia

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Order: Carnivora

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Family: Felidae

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Genus: Lynx

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Species: Lynx rufus

Scientific Name

Lynx rufus

Breeding Season

Early spring once a year

Lifespan

Up to 12 years

Tracks or Signs

Like all cats, the bobcat 'directly registers', meaning its hind prints usually fall exactly on top of its fore prints. Bobcat tracks can be generally distinguished from feral or house cat tracks by their larger size

Behavior

Like many felids, bobcats are solitary animals. The male and female interact almost exclusively during the mating season. These cats rarely vocalize, although they often yowl and hiss during the mating season. Bobcats are basically terrestrial and nocturnal, although they are good climbers and are often active at dusk as well as during the night.

Ecological Role

Bobcats are important predators in the food chain

Activity Pattern

Nocturnal (Active at night)

Habitat Types

Forest

Geographic Distribution

Bobcats are found throughout North America from southern Canada to southern Mexico. In the United States population densities are much higher in the southeastern region than in the western states.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

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No field notes or observations available for this species.

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