Hobbies And Interests
Physical Appearance
Bobcats are the smallest of the Lynx genus of felines. Like their lynx cousins, they have tufted ears. The name "bobcat" comes from their short, bobbed-looking tails, which have black tips. They are up to twice as large as housecats; male bobcats range from 18 to 30 lb., and females range from 16 to 23 lb. Their coats, which have dark spots, range in color from light golden brown to darker reddish brown.
Habitat
Bobcats adapt to a wide range of environments, from deserts to forests to swamps or mountains. Except when mating or raising kittens, they tend toward solitary behavior. Females may have a territory of roughly 5 square miles; males will cover a territory about five times that size. Depending on the density of the bobcat population, these larger male territories may overlap. Each bobcat has one primary dwelling place, usually a cave or other protected space, as well as a few shelter dens.
Food
Like most felines, bobcats are strictly carnivorous. Their usual diet consists of squirrels, rabbits, birds, mice and raccoons, supplemented with the occasional deer. Being generalist predators enables bobcats to adapt readily to such diverse environments, unlike lynx and cougar. Bobcats do not have a fear of water -- an advantage in hunting, as they sometimes take prey in shallow streams. They hunt nocturnally.
Reproduction
Mating season is the period when humans are most likely to become aware of the presence of bobcats, because of the feline version of romantic "serenades." Bobcats tend to mate in late winter. Following a gestation period of roughly 60 days, females give birth in early spring. The average litter size is three; kittens will remain with their mother for 9 to 12 months, until they become competent hunters. Males become sexually mature at around 2 years of age; females mature slightly earlier.