The Bobcat The bobcat (
Lynx rufus) is a North American mammal of the cat
family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago (AEO). With
twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States. The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits
wooded areas, as well as
semi-desert,
urban edge,
forest edges, and
swampland environments. It persists in much of its original range and populations are healthy.
With a gray to brown coat, whiskered face, and black-tufted ears, the bobcat resembles the other species of the mid-sized Lynx genus. It is smaller on average than the
Canada lynx, with which it shares parts of its range, but is about twice as large as the domestic cat. It has distinctive black bars on its forelegs and a
black-tipped, stubby tail, from which it derives its name.
WikipediaConservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Lynx
Species: L. rufus
Binomial name
Lynx rufus
Range
BehaviorThe bobcat is
crepuscular. It keeps on the move from three hours before sunset until about midnight, and then again from before dawn until three hours after sunrise. Each night it will move from
2 to 7 miles (3.2 to 11 km) along its habitual route. This behavior may
vary seasonally, as bobcats become more
diurnal during fall and winter. This is a response to the activity of their prey, which are more active during the day in
colder months.
Physical characteristicsThe bobcat resembles other species of the
Lynx genus but is on average the smallest of the four. Its coat is variable, though generally tan to
grayish brown,
with black streaks on the body and dark bars on the forelegs and tail. Its
spotted patterning acts as camouflage. The ears are
black-tipped and pointed, with short black tufts. There is generally an
off-white color on the lips, chin, and underparts. Bobcats in the desert regions of the
southwest have the
lightest colored coats, while those in the northern, forested regions are darkest.
Kittens are born well-furred and already have their spots.
Hunting and dietThe bobcat is
able to go for long periods without food, but will eat heavily when prey is abundant. During lean periods, it will often prey on
larger animals that it can kill and return to feed on later. The bobcat hunts by stalking its prey and then ambushing it with a
short chase or pounce. Its preference is for mammals about
1.5 to
12.5 pounds (0.68 to 5.7 kg).
Social structure and home rangeBobcat activities are confined to
well-defined territories, which vary in size depending on gender and the distribution of prey. The home range is marked with
feces,
urine scent, and by
clawing prominent trees in the area. In its territory the bobcat will have numerous places of shelter: usually a
main den, and
several auxiliary shelters on the outer extent of its range, such as hollow logs,
brush piles,
thickets, or under rock ledges. Its den smells strongly of
the bobcat.
Reproduction and life cycleBobcats typically live
to six or eight years of age, with a few reaching beyond ten. The longest they have been known to live is
16 years in the wild and
32 years in captivity. They generally begin
breeding by their
second summer, though females may start as early as
their first year.
Distribution and habitatThe bobcat is an
adaptable animal. It prefers
woodlands - deciduous, coniferous, or mixed - but unlike the other
Lynx species it does not depend exclusively on the
deep forest.
WikipediaOriginally from STP