Bobcat Facts

Here are thirteen facts about Bobcats:

1. Bobcats belong to the Lynx genus of felines and are the smallest of the four Lynx cats.

2. Modern Bobcats appear to have evolved around twenty thousand years ago from the Eurasian Lynx.

3. Bobcats are highly adaptable and are seen in a variety of habitats all across the United States.

4. Their population is limited northwards where they are replaced by their larger cousin, the Canadian Lynx.

5. Medium sized predators, Bobcats are twice as large as domestic felines and may reach a length of around four feet, including their short tail.

6. The short 'bobbed' tail is what gives these cats their name, and is seen in all the Lynx cats.

7. Bobcats are made distinct by their prominent ear tufts, hair ruff on face and the characteristic black-tipped tail that is white on the underside.

8. Physical attributes of Bobcats vary in accordance with their geographical distribution. The cats in the colder, forested northern territories are generally bigger with a darker, denser fur whereas the ones in south are often relatively small and pale in coloration.

9. Despite their size, Bobcats are amongst the most successful predators in North America owing to their adaptability and wide prey base.

10. Bobcats can take down prey animals that are eight times their own weight. They routinely kill deer and sheep in parts of their range.

11. Stalk and ambush predators, Bobcats rely on stealth to sneak up to the prey before employing their proportionately long powerful hind legs to generate great bursts of speed, reaching up to fifty kilometers an hour.

12. Solitary and territorial animals, Bobcats are graceful yet fierce predators and are revered in Native American folklore for their courage.

13. Despite being hunted excessively for sport and fur trade in the past, the resilient Bobcats have managed to survive in large numbers throughout United States and are thus currently given a conservation status of 'Least Concern' by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).