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.
  • Considered: Least Concern
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!