Although they are heavily persecuted as livestock killers, the majority of their prey species are destructive agricultural pests. They hunt by day or night, and as opportunistic feeders, prey on whatever is most abundant. They are reasonably tolerant of human disturbance, adapting well to altered habitat. Like their close relatives the Canada Lynx, they prey primarily on rabbits, but are less of a specialist. These tough little cats survive mainly because they are secretive, cantankerous, will eat almost any type of prey and can live in almost any kind of habitat. The population in Mexico is not well known, and it appears to be very rare in some central areas. Its US population was estimated to be from 2,353,276 – 3,571,681 individuals. The Bobcat is found in each of the contiguous states except Delaware. Forty-eight US states, seven Canadian provinces and Mexico were surveyed, with all locations except Florida reporting increased populations. Although there are no exact figures, population density estimates range from 48 cats per 100 km² in Texas to 11 per 100 km² in Virginia.Ī recent population analysis (2011) found that Bobcat numbers have increased throughout the majority of its range since the 1990’s. Young males disperse and travel long distances in search of an unoccupied territory, while females often settle near or partially within the range of their mother.īobcat home range sizes vary widely, from 6 km² in southern California to 325 km² in New York. Males have an established range which includes the smaller ranges of several females, and often overlaps partially with other males’ territories.
They generally favour low and mid elevations, but have been found at 3,500 metres in Mexico. Unlike the Canada lynx, they are not found in the northern latitudes where deep snow restricts their movements. Their range in Canada has been expanding northward with forest clearance and warmer winters. Only large, intensively cultivated areas without adequate surface cover appear to be unsuitable habitat. As habitat generalists, they live in a wide variety of areas, including all types of forest, coastal swamp, desert and scrubland. The largest Bobcats are found in Canada and the western USA, while the smallest are found in Mexico.īobcats are found from southern Canada, down through the USA to northern Mexico. Their ear tufts, if present, are much smaller than those of the Canada lynx Lynx canadensis, as is the ruff framing their face. The large ears are black on the outside, with a white central spot, and their eyes are a yellowish brown. Their relatively high shoulder height and thick fur make them appear much larger than they really are.
Bobcats are short stocky cats with muscular legs, their hind legs being slightly longer than their forelegs. The bob tail is possibly a past adaptation to cold conditions. The short ‘bobbed’ tail, approximately 7.5 – 15 cm long, is marked with several indistinct dark bands, and black tipped only on the topside. Less than a dozen black Bobcats have ever been reported, so officials took DNA samples and blood tests, then released the cat back into the wild. In 2007, a rare melanistic Bobcat was captured in Florida. The fur along the middle of the back is usually darker, while the underparts are whitish, and also spotted. Their soft, dense coat is light grey to reddish brown, and they are randomly barred and spotted with black or dark reddish brown. The Bobcat Lynx rufus is the most successful wild cat species in North America, and more easily recognized than many other small wild cats.