Things You Need to Know
If you see a bobcat near your home, there is no need to panic. Bobcats rarely attack people, and most human attacks have been related to rabies. It is more likely that bobcats are attracted to your yard because it has abundant wildlife, domestic birds, small pets, water, shade or other shelter.
LIVING WITH BOBCATS
Bobcats are common throughout Arizona at all elevations, especially in desert and rocky, mountainous areas, as well as in the urban-wildland interface where food is readily available. Despite decreasing habitat due to human development, bobcat populations remain stable. Although bobcats are elusive and tend to avoid people, it is not uncommon to observe them in some suburban areas, including Phoenix and Tucson. Bobcats are most active around sunset and sunrise, and it is not uncommon to find one napping under a shrub in a backyard with brush. AZGFD is committed to helping people learn how to behave responsibly and coexist safely in bobcat habitat.
DESCRIPTION AND HABITS
- Tan or reddish-brown coat with spots and barring on legs.
- Short, “bobbed” tail (4 to 8 inches long) with a black tip and white underneath.
- Pointed ears with tufts of hair at the tips and often with cheek tufts.
- Weigh 12 to 30 pounds (males are larger than females).
- Stand 18 to 24 inches tall and measure 2 to 3 feet long.
- Mate from December through March.
- Average litter of two to three kittens, usually born from late March to early June.
- Live 10 to 15 years.
- Able to jump as high as 12 feet.
- Carnivorous; generally feed on small mammals and birds (including domestic birds and rabbits), but will also eat lizards and snakes.
- Most active during twilight hours — at dawn and dusk (crepuscular).
- Solitary, but groups may consist of mating pairs, siblings or mothers with kittens.
For more details about bobcats visit the bobcat species page.
Possible Conflicts With Humans
Many conflicts with bobcats occur because of improperly secured domestic birds, such as chickens, ducks and turkeys. Domestic birds should be kept in an enclosed area made of sturdy materials and covered with a roof. Spreading seed outside the enclosure may attract other wildlife, such as birds and rabbits, which could draw in bobcats.
If you have small pets, they need to be protected from bobcats and other predators. A 6-foot-tall fence is not necessarily good protection, as bobcats are strong jumpers and climbers. Keep small pets indoors or in an enclosed outdoor area with a roof, supervise them when they are outside at night or during early morning hours, and always walk them on a leash.
What Attracts Them?
Bobcats may visit an area to find food, water, shelter or the space they need to live.
- Food may include birds, rodents, rabbits, poultry or other domestic birds, other small livestock and small unattended pets.
- Water in pools, birdbaths, fountains and pets’ water dishes can attract bobcats.
- Shelter for bobcats can include rooftops, sheds, patios and decks.
- Small spaces can also make attractive dens, such as planters, rubbish piles or sheds.
- Bobcats are attracted to thick brush, shade and unoccupied yards, where they will sometimes rest during the day or bask in the sun.
What Should I Do?
You may choose to watch and enjoy a bobcat or bobcat family sharing your yard. However, if you have small pets or livestock, you may want to discourage the bobcat from coming onto your property. Remember, it is always a good idea to keep wildlife wild.
If you live in Tucson, visit bobcatsintucson.net to learn more about a study of bobcats along the urban-wildland interface in the Tucson area and to report bobcat activity in your neighborhood.
IN AN EMERGENCY
In the rare occasion that a bobcat bites a person or appears hyperactive, there may be health concerns. Take the following actions:
- Contact your county animal control office.
- Fight back if it attacks.
- Avoid the area and stay indoors.
- Call your local Arizona Game and Fish Department office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
- Call your local Arizona Game and Fish Department office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. After hours and on weekends, a dispatcher is available at 623-236-7201.
if you encounter a BOBCAT
- Scare the bobcat off with loud noises or spray it with a garden hose.
- If the animal is confined, open a gate, have everyone leave the area and allow it to leave on its own. If it is still confined the following day or trapped inside a residence, contact a wildlife control business or the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
- Check for kittens in the area. If kittens are present, consider tolerating them for a few weeks until they are large enough to leave the area with their mother.
To Prevent Human-Wildlife Problems
- Keep domestic animals such as chickens, rabbits, rodents, cats and small dogs in a secured enclosure with a sturdy roof.
- Use heavy-gauge hardware cloth, extend fencing underground and cover the top with hardware cloth or welded wire fencing.
- Regularly check for any gaps or weak spots in the coop structure and reinforce them with additional hardware cloth.
- Feed pets indoors or remove uneaten pet food and water between feedings.
- Close or patch openings in fences and decks.
- Trim or remove dense vegetation that could provide hiding places for bobcats.
- Install motion-activated lights, sprinklers or noise makers.
- Work with neighbors to achieve a consistent solution to the situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the information you need to know.
Why Can’t a Bobcat Just Be Relocated From My Neighborhood?
Bobcats tend to be abundant where food is plentiful, so even if a bobcat is removed, others will visit the same area if attractants are not eliminated. Bobcats have established home ranges and excellent homing skills; they often return to the area of capture after relocation or may continue the same behaviors in the release area, such as killing poultry. Some bobcats have traveled up to 30 miles to return to their home range, so removing attractants is critical to reducing conflicts.
For a fee, wildlife control businesses will remove animals from the property, but remember this is not a permanent solution.
Are There Any Health Concerns I Should Be Aware of When Bobcats Are Present in and Around My Community?
While bobcats rarely contract rabies, it is still possible and poses a serious risk. If a bobcat appears sick, acts erratically or aggressively, or shows signs of paralysis, do not approach it. Contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department or call 911.
Protect yourself by staying away from wildlife exhibiting unusual behavior and by ensuring your pets are vaccinated against rabies. Seek immediate medical attention if you are bitten or scratched by a bobcat.
What Are the Laws and Policies Governing Bobcats and Protection From This Species?
- It is unlawful to feed wildlife, including bobcats, in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties, per Arizona Revised Statute 13-2927. Some cities and smaller counties have also implemented their own ordinances against feeding wildlife. Check your local city and county ordinances for specific regulations.
- The possession of live bobcats is illegal.
- Bobcats are classified as predators and furbearers. A valid hunting license is required. See the Arizona Game and Fish Department Hunting Regulations.
- State law bans firing a gun, bow and arrow, or crossbow within a quarter-mile of an occupied residence or building while taking wildlife, unless you have the owner’s permission.
- Check your local city ordinances, but most ban shooting firearms within city limits. Some cities also ban the use of slingshots, BB guns, air guns or bows.
- For property damage, refer to Arizona Revised Statute 17-239 on wildlife depredation, in addition to the Arizona Game and Fish Department Hunting Regulations.
How Can I Keep My Chickens or Other Livestock Safe From Bobcats?
Bobcats normally hunt at dawn and dusk. Keep chickens in the coop or a protected run until midday. You may need to switch their feeding time to the afternoon to get them inside before dusk. Store chicken feed in airtight containers to avoid attracting predators. Make sure chickens are locked inside the coop at night, when bobcats are most active.
Strengthen the coop structure and run with sturdy materials. This includes reinforcing the bottom with hardware cloth, extending fencing below ground to prevent digging and using secure latches on doors and openings. Do not use chicken wire — it is easily torn by predators. Use heavy-duty hardware cloth on the sides and top. Extend the hardware cloth at least 12 inches below ground and bend it outward to create an L-shaped barrier, which prevents bobcats from digging under the fence. Cover the top of the run with hardware cloth or another sturdy material to prevent bobcats from jumping or climbing in. Regularly inspect the coop and run for any signs of damage or weakness.
Install motion-activated lights and sensors around the coop and run to startle and deter bobcats. Remove any overgrown vegetation around the coop that could provide hiding places. Certain dog breeds can also help protect your flock.
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