Bobcat Lynx rufus

Bobcats can live in a variety of habitats, including residential areas. Learn about these beautiful and elusive predators and get tips if you are having problems with bobcats in your neighborhood.

What does the Bobcat look like?

Bobcats are North America’s most abundant wild cat. Their coat varies from a yellow to reddish brown. They have dark brown or black spots or streaks and spots. Thie under carriage is white and spotted and their ears have short tufts of black hair.

Bobcat Habitat

Forests

Bobcat Facts

Bobcats are primarily nocturnal hunters. They hunt rabbits and other small game, however are more than capable of bringing down deer. They mark their territories with exposed feces, urine deposits, and scratch marks. Bobcats are only found in North America.

Other names

Red Lynx, Wildcat

Order

Carnivora

Family

Felidae

Size

Bobcats are generally between 2 and 4 feet in length.

Lifespan

up to 12 years in the wild

Weight

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) facts, habitat, diet, range, bobcat pictures and more to help you learn to identify the beautiful wild cat.

Diet

Carnivore

Breeding

Females birth 1-6 kittens.

Range

Mid-west, Great Lakes, New England, Mid-Atlantic, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Southwest, Florida, Texas, California, Pacific Northwest, Eastern Canada, Western Canada

Living with bobcats fact sheet (PDF 895.81 KB) from Massachusetts wildlife gov page