Bobcat is the most common wild cats in North America. It is estimated that there are between 2.3 million and 3.5 million bobcats.
They live in Mexico, five Canadian provinces and every neighbouring state in the United States except Delaware.
Bobcats are difficult to catch and not so easy to spot. They live in bushes, swamps and forests. They always look for a sheltered place where they can take shelter when needed.
Description
The animal is named Bobcat after its tail, which has a cut or “bobbed” look. The tail is only between 11-19 cm long. The bobcat will be between 63-107 cm long excluding the tail.
Bobcats are the smallest lynx. They can weigh between 3.6-15 kg.
The males are larger than the females.
The Bobcats that live further north will be larger than those that live in more southern latitudes.
Bobcats are sometimes mistaken for other animals, such as domestic cats, Florida panthers, Canada lynx or mountain lions.
It can be difficult even for the most trained eye to differentiate the Canadian lynx from a bobcat. It is the paw print that is crucial, the Canadian lynx has large, hairy feet that leave giant footprints behind in the snow.
Diet
Bobcats can catch larger prey such as deer, but their main food consists of rodents and rabbits. They may catch a chicken or even a pet if given the opportunity. Bobcats also eat fish.
Bobcats hunt at dusk and dawn. They sneak on their prey and then throw themselves 3 meters in one leap.
Habitat
Bobcats live quite lonely lives. living primarily a lonely life. They stay in their area where they have access to food. The females’ territory is usually about 6 square kilometres, while the males are about 25 square kilometres. They do not share territory with any other bobcat of the same sex. They scent mark with urine, feces and anal gland secretions to keep other cats away. On their territory they have several different burrows. The birth canal, which is their main, is usually located in the mountains, like a cave. They can also have their shelter in hollowed out trees, abandoned beaver huts and earth caves. In a bobcat’s territory, there are several protections scattered so the Bobcat can always stay hidden whenever it wants. They also leave their young there when they go hunting.
Reproduction
The bobcats litters consist of 1-6 kittens.
The older the female, the more cubs she can have. For the first two months, the kittens remain in the den while the mother goes out hunting. When the kittens have been about a month old, they can take part in the mother’s prey. When it’s time for them to leave their sheltered place, she shows them how the hunt goes and they quickly learn to catch food for everyone. When they begin to approach 11 months, it is time to leave the nest for good. The mother banishes the kittens from her territory and they now have to fend for themselves.