Bobcats are the most common wildcat found in North America. Some species, such as the Mexican bobcat, are listed as endangered in the United States. Nearly one million bobcats live throughout the contiguous U.S., and hunting practices vary from state to state, with some allowing for regulated hunting and others declaring the wildcat to be a protected species. Solitary and mostly nocturnal, bobcats rarely come into contact with humans.
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Slightly smaller than their lynx cousins, bobcats maintain an average length of 3 feet (65 to 105 cm). Their tails are short, bobbed, and add an additional 5 to 7 inches (11 to 19 cm) to their total length. The base of their coats ranges from yellow-brown to brown in color, and bobcats have dark brown to black stripes and markings all over their bodies. Distinctive characteristics include the short tufts of hair on the ends of their ears and the ruffs of hair on either side of their heads, which bear a resemblance to sideburns.
More information about what a bobcat looks like.
Though not common in the Midwest, bobcat populations are found throughout the rest of the United States, northern Mexico, and southern Canada. Bobcats can survive in a number of habitats, including forests, semi-deserts, mountain ranges, swamps, and brush land. They will set up dens in caves, rock shelters, hollow logs, and fallen trees so long as the area provides some protection.
Are bobcats known to enter homes or yards?
Bobcats do not enter human habitations. Since they are solitary creatures, bobcats are rarely seen by humans, even if they have a den close by. Additionally, if they live in urban areas, bobcats will restrict their activity to the nighttime hours, which further limits the possibility of human contact.
Do bobcats harm people or property?
While they don’t disturb homes, bobcats still cause problems due to their dietary preferences. White-tailed rabbits and hares are favored prey, but bobcats also target house cats, poultry, small pigs, and even lambs, especially those kept on farms and private property. Since they are opportunistic feeders, bobcats will go after more easily obtained prey, and the possibility for repeat offenses increases after a bobcat attacks a coop or pen the first time. This puts property owners in danger of an aggressive encounter with bobcats.
The best method of bobcat control is altering the surrounding environment to make it less favorable to the predators. Simple things like not feeding local wildlife such as deer or feral cats, keeping birdfeeders well-maintained, feeding domesticated pets indoors, and not letting dogs and cats outside during the night can lessen the possibility of bobcats being attracted to the property.
To protect poultry and livestock, house these animals in bobcat-proof pens. As bobcats can climb and jump fences up to 6 feet (nearly 2 m) in height, homeowners should consider electrified fences and other unconventional options. Furthermore, where bobcats could climb a tree to gain access to pens and coops, homeowners should install predator guards.
Given their protected status and their proclivity for returning to their original territories, bobcats often resist efforts to trap and relocate. Additionally, other bobcats are usually quick to replace relocated ones. State agencies accept reports of bobcat sightings and intervene when the wildcat’s presence endangers the public. A qualified wildlife removal specialist can handle bobcat removal, as well.