Bobcats
BEHAVIOR
Bobcats (scientific name: Lynx rufus) are mainly crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. During winter months, they are out more during the day because that is when their prey is also most active. Bobcats can take down prey that is three times larger than themselves, including small deer. Bobcats are solitary cats, meaning they usually live alone. They have well-defined territories.
COLOR PATTERN
- Grey to brown coat
- Black tufted ears
- Short bobbed tail – this is why they got the name “bobcat”
- White belly
- Visible spots
WHERE WE LIVE
Bobcats are very adaptable and live in a variety of habitats including wooded areas, swamp lands, and even in urban areas. They have the widest range of all the wild cats in North America.
WEIGHT
Bobcat 14-21 pounds
House Cat 12 pounds
LENGTH
Bobcat 18-50 inches long
A Man’s Stride 36 inches long
Bonus
Bobcat A bobcat can take down an animal three times bigger than itself
Deer 60 pounds
WHAT WE EAT
OBLIGATE CARNIVORE
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Rodents
- Birds
- Squirrels
- Chickens
THREATS
- Habitat Loss
Bobcats are losing a lot of their habitat to farming and urbanization. - Retaliatory Killings
Bobcats are killed by farmers for taking their livestock.
Did you know…
Over
3,500
BOBCATS LIVE IN NORTH CAROLINA!
Did you know…
a bobcat can take down prey
3x
its own size!
Did you know…
There are
13
subspecies of bobcats!
