How to Track Bobcats

The bobcat is a member of the cat family and its habitat spans most of North America, including desert areas, grassy plain and woodlands. Bobcats are active day and night and usually, but not always, stay within five square miles when hunting. They usually den in caves, rocks, hollow logs and fallen trees. The untrained eye can often mistake bobcat tracks for dog tracks, but there are specific differences between the two tracks.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Count toe marks. The bobcat has four toes with the third toe being slightly shorter than the second. Bobcats keep their claws retracted, like most cats, unless they are ready to pounce or digging into the ground for running speed.

2. Check the heel pad. The bobcat has a "c" shape between the heel and toes, whereas a dog has an "x" shape. The bobcat heel pad is bi-lobed in the front and tri-lobed in the back.

3. Measure the stride. The bobcat's stride varies greatly depending on whether he is running or walking. His stride is generally around 14 1/2 to 16 1/2 inches although it can be as much as 3 inches shorter and up to 10 inches longer.

4. Look at the width of the trail. A typical can be anywhere from 3 to almost 6 inches wide, with 4 inch being the typical width.

5. Track the bobcat for a while and you notice that they often place their rear feet directly on top of the front foot track.