Scientific Name: Felis rufus or Lynx rufus

Bobcats are medium-sized cats; bigger than a house cat while smaller than a lion. They are about two feet tall and weight about 20 pounds. They are usually light brown to reddish brown in color. A bobcat kitten's fur is spotted when they are born and as they get older the spots fade into light black streaks. Bobcats get the name from their unusually short tails which can be anywhere from 3 to 7 inches in length. Bobcats live throughout the U.S. with the exception of a few eastern central states. They prefer woody or grassy areas and their territory can span 5 to 50 miles. Bobcats are nocturnal, being most active at night when their prey is. They have excellent vision and hearing which are their most important senses when it comes to hunting. They eat rabbits, rodents, squirrels, ground-nesting birds, turkeys and occassionally have been known to take a sick or small dear.

Bobcat Facts

• Bobcats have retractable claws like house cats. This is a good way to tell the difference between a bobcat track and that of a dog since they are similar in size.

• Bobcats can only eat about 3 pounds of meat at a time so they will often cover up any leftover meat from a large game kill.

• Bobcats can run at up to 30 miles per hour.

• Bobcats put their back feet in the same place where their front feet stepped so as not to disrupt the surroundings any more than necessary.

• Bobcats mark their territory with urine just like housecats.

• Bobcats are generally loners except during mating season.

Below is a photograph of a Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park bobcat.

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