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 Lynx rufus
Our Ambassador
Our Bobcat arrived in the fall of 1998 at the age of 5 months after being held illegally as a pet. He cannot return to the wild because he is imprinted. He enjoys interacting with many of his toys and keeps a watchful eye over the Wildlife Wanderland. He enjoys feline diet, rats and fish 6 days per week. He has been known to hunt small mammals that wander into his enclosure.
Habitat
Forests, swamps, deserts, and farmlands.
 Size
28-40 inches from nose to rump; tail 4-7 inches
Stands 20-24 inches at the shoulder
Weigh 16-30 pounds
Appearance
Tawny coloration with indistinct dark spotting. Short, stubby tail with 2 or 3 dark bars and dark tip above, white or pale below. Face has thin, broken lines radiating onto broad cheek ruffs. Ears are slightly tufted. Males are often larger than females.
Voice
Yowling, similar to a woman screaming.
Eating Habits
Mainly crepuscular (hunts at dusk and dawn), but have been known to be active at all times of the day. Bobcats are strictly carnivorous, favoring prey items including small mammals, birds, and fish. They have been known to take down animals as large as White-Tailed Deer.
Lifespan
Average 10-12 years in the wild; Up to 25 years in captivity
Reproduction
Bobcats usually mate in the early spring, although the timing is variable. Similar to domestic felines, males and females are only together for copulation. Females are left to raise 2- 3 young alone after a 60 - 70 day gestation period. Eyes remain closed until they are about 10 days old, and they continue nursing through their second month. The young remain with the female for the first 8 months.
Interesting Facts
- Bobcats got their name because of their short tail.
- A bobcat can leap ten feet (3.5 times their body length) in a single bound. That is like a human jumping 20 feet!
- The pads on the bobcats’ feet allow them to be almost silent when walking in the woods. They also choose their path wisely, and place their hind feet on the same spots their forefeet were placed.
Resources
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