About Bobcats

The bobcat ("Lynx rufus") is a member of the Lynx cat family and is found primarily in North America. Bobcats are about twice the size of regular house cats, and can be found in many environments including wooded areas, semi-desert areas, urban areas, forests edge areas and even swamplands. The bobcat is an adaptable predator that can be recognized by its grayish brown coat, black tufted ears, black striped legs and stubby tail. Bobcat populations are healthy and they inhabit most of their original habitat.

Physical Charecteristics

The bobcat looks similar to the other members of the Lynx family, but is the smallest of the four. Bobcats are about twice the size of regular house cats, and from the nose to the tip of the tail are generally around 36 inches in length. They usually stand around 15 inches, and adult male bobcats have a maximum weight of about 30 lbs while female bobcats weigh around 20 lbs. Bobcats can be recognized by their grayish-brown coat, black tufted ears, black striped legs and "bobbed" tail from which it gets its name. The bobcat's long, lean body is covered in dark spots, and it has yellow, forward-facing eyes with elongated pupils that make it an excellent predator.

Habitat

The bobcat is prevalent in North America, and lives throughout the continental United States. They range into Canada, Mexico and along both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. The bobcat is a versatile animal that can exist in many habitats, such as the semi-desert ecosystem of California, or the swamplands of Florida and the Gulf Coast. They generally prefer areas where there is a convergence of habitats, such as the wooded area on the edge of grasslands or the edges of a mountain range near a valley. All bobcat environments share certain characteristics including the availability of small prey, low growth that provides cover, shelter, appealing den sites and expansive territories that allow for a solitary lifestyle.

Behavior

Bobcats are active mostly at dawn and dusk. They are highly territorial, and like most cats, prefer a generally solitary lifestyle. A bobcat usually claims an area of several square miles depending on the size of the cat and the availability of prey, but some bobcats have been tracked to have areas as large as over 100 square miles. Bobcats mark their territorial boundaries with feces, urine and by clawing marks on trees. Within this territory the bobcat will have a main den, several smaller dens and many memorized shelters and hiding spaces. Because male bobcats have larger territories than females, sometimes multiple females will have smaller territories within a male's large one. But generally, the females stick to their small areas and do not interact with one another. Male bobcat territories may overlap slightly.

Diet and Hunting

The Bobcat is a skilled hunter that will stalk and then pounce on its prey in an ambush or chase scenario. They prey on small mammals, reptiles and birds. In instances where food is scarce, they have even been known to prey on fresh carrion, or freshly dead animals. With such a wide range or prey, the bobcat is highly adaptable to its environment, allowing it to survive even as cities grow and small animal populations fluctuate.

Lifecycle and Breeding

Bobcats usually live eight to 10 years. The oldest bobcat in the wild on record was 16 years old, and the longest lifespan of a bobcat in captivity was 32 years. Bobcats generally breed after their second summer, but females may breed as young as a year old. A male bobcat will travel with a female for months and breed with her several times, usually from winter to spring or summer. After this period, a female may go on to find another male to breed, and males generally mate with several females.

A female is pregnant for 60 to 70 days, and gives birth to an average of four kittens. She raises the kittens alone. Kittens open their eyes around the ninth or tenth day, and start exploring their environment outside the den after about a month. They are weaned around two months, and after three to five months will go traveling and hunting with their mother. Kittens generally stay with their mother until they are fully self-sufficient hunters, which is after about a year.