The Bobcat (Lynx Rufus) By Nick Lanes Sources Google/Google Images Wikipedia Iowa DNR website

The bobcat prefers to eat rabbits and hares but will eat anything from insects to small rodents and even deer.

The bobcat’s habitat ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States. It mainly inhabits wooded areas. The opposite of where this cat is staying the night.

Bobcats are endangered for two reasons. We hunt them for sport and for their pelt. Another reason is habitat loss.

The bobcats fur is tan to grayish brown, with black streaks on the body and dark bars on the forelegs and tail. Its spotted patterning acts as camouflage. The ears are black-tipped and pointed, with short black tufts. Kittens are born well-furred and already have their spots.

The bobcat has sharp hearing and vision, and a good sense of smell. It is an excellent climber, and will swim when it needs to but will normally avoid water.

Adult males usually range from 16 to 30 pounds. The largest bobcat on record weighed 48.9 pounds! A bobcat is about 3 to 4 times the size of an average domestic cat.

Bobcats typically live to six or eight years of age, with a few reaching beyond ten. The longest they have been known to live is 16 years in the wild and 32 years in captivity.

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