| The Bobcat is the most widely distributed native cat in North America. Bobcats occupy many habitat types, from desert to swamp to mountains. They are mostly nocturnal predators, taking quarry ranging in size from mouse to deer. Rabbits and hares make up a large part of the bobcat's diet. Like Lynx, male and female Bobcats maintain territories by scent-marking. An individuals territory does not overlap with another Bobcats of the same sex, but females home ranges can fall within the territories of males. Females breed sooner than males, at about one year of age; males are ready to breed when they are about two. One litter, with an average of three kittens, is born each year.
Also known as:
Wildcat, Bay Lynx, Barred Bobcat, Pallid Bobcat, Red Lynx
Length:
Average:
869 mm males; 786 mm females
Range:
475-1,252 mm males; 610-1,219 mm females
Weight:
Average:
12 kg males; 9 kg females
Range:
7.2-31 kg males; 3.8-24 kg females
References:
Schreber, J.C.D., 1777. in Schreber's Die Säugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur mit Beschreibungen, Wolfgang Walther, Erlangen, 7 volumes, 1774-1846; 3(25):pl. 109.B[1777]; text 3(24):412[1777].
Links:
Mammal Species of the World (opens in a new window).
Mammalian Species, American Society of Mammalogists' species account (opens in a new window).
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Lynx rufus (Bobcat), MidAtlantic
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Lynx rufus (Bobcat), MidAtlantic
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Lynx rufus (Bobcat), MidAtlantic
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