Hobbies And Interests
Food
Food is high on the bobcat's priorities. Bobcats are predators and opportunists, taking just about any prey that they can. Bobcats often kill and eat rabbits, opossums and large rodents due to their ideal size on its menu. A bobcat will also take beavers and deer if it has to, or smaller rats, mice, shrews and voles when prey is lacking. Above their mammalian preferences, however, bobcats may feed on insects, fish, reptiles and birds. With a wide, varied diet, bobcats have a will to survive, but it must have this food in its range or it will run into problems that directly impact its ability to survive.
Water
Bobcats must have water within its range. This might include streams, rivers, ponds and places where water collects after rain. When a bobcat cannot find water, it may venture into another bobcat's range or even into human domains in search of water to survive.
Shelter
Bobcats also need to make several dens in its range to help protect it from the elements and hide during the day. Ledges in some place are important as they provide shelter and protection against harassment, as well as a meeting place for mating. Bobcats also need rock piles, cliffs, brush piles and hollow trees to make den sites to raise young. If a bobcat cannot make dens in its range, it will compromise its ability to survive in harsh weather conditions and expose it to competitors and larger predators.
Space
Bobcats also need enough space to roam to find adequate food, water and shelter. Most bobcat ranges extend anywhere from one mile up to around 12 miles, depending on the availability of basic necessities, mainly food. If another bobcat compromises its range, too many competitors such as coyotes or humans will impact the bobcat's ability to survive. This is true especially if its range is flanked by ranges of other bobcats, although sometimes female bobcats ranges do overlap.
Solitary
Bobcats, unlike many other mammals, have a basic need for solitary life and to avoid socialization. Many different wildcats prefer solitude, but bobcats seem to require it. Mating season is the only time bobcats interact, and only long enough to mate. Thereafter they go separate ways. Bobcats shy away from other animals and will usually run from humans at the first scent, sound or sight. If a bobcat cannot find solitude in its range, it will leave.
Kittens Need Their Mother
From the time of birth through the first year of life, kittens need their mother. Without their mother, they will not survive. The mother must not only provide food after birth, but during the first year must teach the kittens how to survive. Most premature bobcat deaths occur in the juvenile period from the ages of one to three. After the first year, the mother will force the kittens off of her range and they are on their own. If the kittens did not learn the adequate survival skills from their mother, they will have a hard time hunting and finding food and will usually starve.