Bobcats:
The bobcat is a medium sized member of the cat
family. The bobcat has a short, broad face, framed with a fur ruff,
very long legs, short bobbed tail, and coat colors range from
yellowish to reddish brown, streaked and spotted with black. The
ears are black sporting a center white or grey spot. Adult weight
ranges from 10 to 40 pounds. Their lifespan in the wild may average
10 to 12 years.
Like your pet cat, bobcats are both diurnal and nocturnal,
preferring to hunt around sunrise and sunset. Like other members of
the cat family, bobcats probably nap a lot They prefer to live in
densely wooded areas, well away from humans and their developments.
Dens can be thickets of grasses and underbrush, hollow logs, caves -
areas that provide solitude and shelter. Bobcats are basically
loners and do not hang out in groups. Mom has sole responsibility
for raising her young. Communication sounds range from clicks,
yowls, purrs, growls, meows, hiss and spit. Like other cats, bobcats
are very curious, and very agile tree climbers and jumpers.
Food Preference
Bobcats are predominately carnivores. They eat mice, rats,
rabbits, and other small animals and birds. They are strong enough
to take down small deer. Sometimes they may enjoy nibbling some
grasses and other vegetation.
Geographic Range:
Bobcats may be found in the southern most part of Canada
through the US (sparse in North-Central States) into Mexico. In
Missouri, they mostly live in the Ozarks and northern, wooded
counties and there are very few scattered along the Mississippi and
Missouri Rivers.
Enemies
Bobcat enemies are humans and dogs, ticks, fleas, parasitic
worms, distemper and rabies. Owls, coyotes and foxes may
take young kittens.
Value to the Environment
Bobcats are excellent predators and scavengers and help
keep the rodent population in check, as well as help maintain
the balance of life in the forests. Unfortunately, as more and more
habitat is taken by humans, bobcats are being
driven out. They do not adapt to human activity the way other
animals have.
