Bobcat
Lynx rufus · Mammal, Vertebrate, Warm-blooded, Wild
Animal Family
Family Felidae, order Carnivora, class Mammalia
Animal Category
Wild Predator
Breed / Variety
North American Bobcat
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, with stable and widespread populations managed through regulated hunting and trapping.
About This Creature
Medium-sized feline with a distinctive stubby or 'bobbed' tail, prominent facial ruffs, and tufted ears. Coat is generally brownish or reddish-brown with dark spots or streaks.
Physical Characteristics
Compact body, long legs, large paws, tufted ears with black tips, short bobbed tail with a black-banded tip, and spotted tawny coat.
Behavior & Temperament
Solitary, elusive, primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, highly territorial, and excellent climber and swimmer.
Habitat & Diet
Origin Region
North America, ranging from southern Canada through the United States to central Mexico
Habitat
Forests, semi-desert, edge habitats, brushland, and swampy areas; terrestrial
Diet & Nutrition
Obligate carnivore preying primarily on rabbits, hares, rodents, and occasionally birds or small ungulates.
Lifespan & Health
Lifespan of about 7 to 10 years in the wild, up to 15-20 years in captivity. Prone to feline diseases, parasites, and vehicle strikes.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional eyesight and hearing, stealthy predator, adaptable to various human-modified environments.
Ecological Information
Apex/mesopredator that helps control rodent and rabbit populations, maintaining balance in local food webs.