Bobcat
Lynx rufus
Order: Carnivora; Family: Felidae
Bobcats have short tails. They are colored red, brown, or grey on the back and lighter below with black spots on the front legs and bellies that fade as the animal ages. Bobcats are primarily nocturnal and normally weigh 18 to 22 pounds with females on the smaller side. Large individuals have been reported weighing as much as 76 pounds. Bobcats have retractable claws that do not show up in tracks. Bobcats will wade or swim.
Bobcats range throughout most of the U.S. occupying dense forests, mountains, prairies, farmland, deserts, and swamps, often denning in rock outcroppings. Bobcats eat rabbits, beaver, and occasionally deer. Coyotes, eagles, fisher, wolves, and mountain lions prey upon bobcats. Adult male bobcats sometimes eat juveniles. Breeding occurs during February and March, with one litter a year producing 1 to 4 young. Females breed during the first year, and males at 2 years. Females occupy a home range of about 6 square miles while males may roam over as much as 60 square miles.
Bobcat tracks
Bobcat prints
Order: Carnivora; Family: Felidae
Bobcats have short tails. They are colored red, brown, or grey on the back and lighter below with black spots on the front legs and bellies that fade as the animal ages. Bobcats are primarily nocturnal and normally weigh 18 to 22 pounds with females on the smaller side. Large individuals have been reported weighing as much as 76 pounds. Bobcats have retractable claws that do not show up in tracks. Bobcats will wade or swim.
Bobcats range throughout most of the U.S. occupying dense forests, mountains, prairies, farmland, deserts, and swamps, often denning in rock outcroppings. Bobcats eat rabbits, beaver, and occasionally deer. Coyotes, eagles, fisher, wolves, and mountain lions prey upon bobcats. Adult male bobcats sometimes eat juveniles. Breeding occurs during February and March, with one litter a year producing 1 to 4 young. Females breed during the first year, and males at 2 years. Females occupy a home range of about 6 square miles while males may roam over as much as 60 square miles.
Bobcat tracks
Bobcat prints