Mammals · Felidae

Bobcats

Lynx rufus

Least Concern

The Bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments. It persists across much of its original range with healthy populations. With a gray-to-brown coat, whiskered face, and black-tufted ears, the Bobcat resembles the other species of the mid-sized Lynx genus.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Genus: Lynx

Species: rufus

Other names: Bay Lynx, Catamount, Lynx Cat, Red Lynx, Wildcat

Size

About twice the size of the average house cat. 26 to 41 in. long with a short "bobbed" tail measuring 4 to 7 in. Weigh between 11 and 30 lbs.

Habitat

North America, from southern Canada to southern Mexico. Highly adaptable — forests, swamps, deserts, and suburban areas.

Description

Brown, buff, or brownish red with a white underside; dark brown or black stripes and spots on some parts of the body; short "bobbed", black-tipped tail.

Behavior

Create dens in hollow trees, thickets, or rocky crevices. Territorial, marking home ranges with urine, feces and anal gland secretions.

Diet

Rabbits, birds, mice, squirrels, and other small game.

Communication

Rarely vocal — yowling and hissing can be heard during mating season.

Gestation

50 to 70 days.

Birth

Litters of 1–6 kittens, around 9–9.5 oz. at birth, born with eyes closed (opening after ~10 days). Kittens remain with the mother for 9–12 months.

Sexually Mature

Around 1 year of age.