Bobcat

A bobcat on the move, displaying its characteristic sideburn-like fur and distinctive spotted coat. These adaptable felines can be found across North America in habitats ranging from forests to urban areas.

Photo: Robert Shantz

A Stealthy Predator of North America

The bobcat (Lynx rufus), often mistaken for a lynx, is a small but fierce feline native to North America. As a member of the Felidae family, the bobcat has an impressive range and can be found across much of the continent, with the exception of certain parts of the Midwestern United States. Although they prefer woodlands, including coniferous and deciduous forests, bobcats are highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of ecosystems such as semi-deserts, rocky mountains, grasslands, and even urban areas.

As carnivores, bobcats rely exclusively on hunting for their sustenance. Their diet consists mainly of small animals, including rodents, rabbits, birds, and occasionally reptiles. When hunting, these stealthy predators use their powerful hind legs to pounce on their prey, aiming for the vertebrae to deliver a swift and deadly bite.

Bobcats are solitary and territorial animals. Males typically have territories that overlap with the ranges of multiple females, while female bobcats maintain exclusive territories that do not overlap with other females. To mark their territory, bobcats use a combination of urine and gland secretions.

Physically, bobcats are easily identifiable by their buff to brown coats, which are often marked with dark brown or black stripes. Their short, "bobbed" tails have a distinctive black tip, and the tops of their ears are also marked with black fur. One of their most notable features is the long tufts of fur on the sides of their face, giving them the appearance of having sideburns.

With their remarkable adaptability and sharp hunting skills, bobcats continue to thrive in diverse environments across North America, from the wilderness to the outskirts of cities.