All About the Bobcat

The Bobcat is an elusive and solitary predator living in habitats throughout North America and Mexico. In fact, they are the most abundant wildcat in the United States and dwell in our very own Alabama forests and swamps.

Because they are not much larger than the beloved house cat, Bobcats are adored by many people- or at least from a distance.

Don’t let their cuddly kitten appearance and shy personalities fool you. Bobcats are powerful and skilled wild animals.

Here on this Wildlife ID page from Covenant Wildlife Removal, you’ll learn everything there is to know about the Bobcat. Continue on to read all about these incredible cats.

Facts About the Bobcat

The impressive skills and characteristics of the Bobcat are endless. And you’d be lucky to ever spot one in the wild. But to correctly identify this wildcat, you’ll need to be familiar with its appearance and behaviors first.

Appearance

Bobcats are medium-sized wild cats, typically two feet at the shoulder. They weigh anywhere from nine to 33 pounds. On average, Bobcats in Alabama and other southern territories are smaller than their northern populations. And males are significantly larger than females.

One of the cat’s most notable features is the fur along both sides of its face, called ruffs. However, the Bobcat also can be identified by its tan or brown fur, often tinted with red tones. Their coats are marked with spots and stripes of black and dark brown.

The ears of the Bobcat are tufted with a black backside interrupted by two white dots. And the tip of its relatively short tail is black with a white underside. Additionally, a bobcat’s belly is white or lighter in color than the rest of its fur.

Habitat

The United States is home to most of the world’s Bobcats, but their range extends from southern Canada into Mexico. Widespread and adaptable, the Bobcat can thrive in several different habitats:

• Dense northern forests
• Southern woodlands and swamps
• Deserts and scrublands in the west
• Canyons and other rocky areas

Due to the continuous expansion of human settlement into their natural habitat, Bobcats can also be found in agricultural fields and urban areas. However, they are reclusive and hardly ever seen by humans.

Diet

At night, Bobcats will do most of their hunting. They are carnivorous wildcats that mainly feed on small rodents and other animals. And occasionally, the Bobcat will get its paws on larger mammals, like deer.

Some of the Bobcat’s main meals consist of the following:

• Rabbits and hares
• Rats and mice
• Squirrels
• Chipmunks
• Snakes and lizards

Unfortunately, Bobcats have been known to prey on domesticated animals. This occurs in areas close to the Bobcat’s natural habitat, like agricultural fields and rural settlements. Though, urban areas are certainly not off-limits. Household pets such as dogs and cats, as well as sheep, goats, and poultry, are preyed on by Bobcats, especially if left to roam freely. However, because Bobcats avoid human interaction, these cases are few and far between.

Behavior

Bobcats are solitary animals and spend the majority of their lives alone. They are also territorial but will typically respect the territory of their Bobcat neighbors. In fact, they use scent markings to claim their area and avoid confrontation with cats nearby.

Bobcats and Their Young

After the winter mating season, the female Bobcat will give birth to a litter of about two to four kittens. She will then force the male to leave the den and spend about two months nursing her young. For three to five months, the kittens will stay by their mother’s side until the next winter mating season.

The lifespan of a Bobcat in the wild is about five to 15 years. And in captivity, they will live 18 to 25 years.

Other Unique Behaviors

Check out these additional facts about the incredible behaviors of the Bobcat:

• Bobcats will use body posture, facial expressions, scent, and vocalizations for communication among its kind.
• Because of their large eyes and elliptical pupils, Bobcats have incredible eyesight.
• They can run up to 30 mph and are extremely skilled in climbing.
• The Bobcat is a patient and stealthy hunter, walking in a way that reduces noise and spending hours stalking prey.

What to Do About Bobcats on Your Property

Have you encountered a Bobcat in your yard or perhaps while enjoying the outdoors?

If so, the most important thing to do is ensure your safety.

Bobcat sightings in Alabama, or anywhere they reside, are scarce. But if you happen to cross paths with a Bobcat, take the following actions to handle the situation safely:

• Stay calm and keep as much distance between you and the Bobcat as possible.
• Avoid running or making sudden movements as you slowly back away.
• Protect children and pets nearby.
• Make loud noises by shouting or banging pots and pans.

However, you can sleep soundly knowing that Bobcat attacks on humans are very uncommon due to their tendency to hide away and avoid human interaction.

Once it is safe to do so, call your local wildlife removal company.

Reach Out to the Experts at Covenant Wildlife Removal

Covenant Wildlife Removal takes these matters very seriously.

And you can trust that you are in good hands.

Every day we remove nests, pests, and critters of all sorts from Georgia homes. There is just about nothing we have not seen or removed. And if the animal is protected, we can relocate the critter to a shelter or state-approved area for rehabilitation and relocation.

Give us a call if you’ve spotted a Bobcat on your property.

Or click here for a free inspection with our expert team of wildlife removal specialists.