Bobcat
Bobcats, sometimes called wildcats, are roughly twice as big as the average house cat. Most bobcats are pale brown or brownish red but coloration can vary slightly in different regions. The chest, belly and inner side of their legs are white with black spots and bars on their legs and chest, and less noticeable spots throughout the body.
About
Most bobcats are pale brown or brownish-red, but coloration can vary slightly in different regions. The chest, belly and inner sides of their legs are white, with black spots and bars on their legs and chest and less noticeable spots throughout the body. Bobcats have long legs, large paws, a striped ruff of fur on their cheeks and pointed ears with slight tufts of hair at the tips.
Bobcats are carnivorous and feed almost exclusively on meat. They tend to hunt and travel in areas of thick cover, relying on their keen eyesight and hearing to locate prey. Bobcats are patient hunters; they spend much of their time waiting, watching and listening. Once prey is located, a bobcat will stalk within range and ambush its quarry. Although their principal prey is cottontail rabbits and jackrabbits, bobcats also take small mammals such as mice, pack rats and squirrels, birds and occasionally larger mammals, including the young of some big-game species such as deer and pronghorn. Snakes and lizards are also part of the bobcat’s diet. They are also known to consume domestic animals such as poultry, small dogs, cats, rabbits, sheep and goats.
Life History
Bobcats are polygamous, meaning they have more than one mate, and do not form lasting pair bonds. They typically begin breeding at 2 years of age. They breed during winter and spring but may breed a second time later in the year if they lose a litter. Kittens are typically born during the spring and early summer months after a gestation period of 50 to 60 days. Females usually choose a secluded den, such as a hollow tree, log, cave or rocky crevice, to raise their litter of 2 to 4 kittens, and will often move their kittens between multiple den sites. The same den site may be used for several years. As in most solitary cats, the female raises the kittens alone, nursing them for two months before teaching them to hunt on their own. Young usually remain with the female until the following spring.
In more urban habitats, bobcats have been known to den in backyards, using storage sheds, barns, planters, rooftops and the spaces under buildings. 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. They may be attracted to a yard where food (bunnies, birds, poultry, small pets, etc.), water (pools, fountains, birdbaths, pets’ water dishes, etc.) and shade (patios, shrubs, etc.) are readily available. AZGFD is committed to helping people learn how to behave responsibly and coexist safely in bobcat habitat.
Distribution and Abundance
Bobcats are the most broadly distributed felid in North America. They range across southern Canada, throughout most of the United States and into southern Mexico.
In 2010, the U.S. population of bobcats was estimated to be between 2.3 million and 3.6 million, indicating an increase in bobcat abundance throughout the majority of their range in North America since the late 1990s. In that same year, the bobcat population in Arizona was estimated to be between 62,395 and 65,909, with an increasing population trend.
Though seldom seen because of their secretive nature, bobcats are very common and are broadly distributed throughout the state. In Arizona, they are particularly abundant in rugged and brushy habitats associated with Sonoran Desert scrub and interior chaparral. Bobcats also can be found in suburban areas, including Phoenix and Tucson. In Arizona, the minimum density of adult resident bobcats in both the central and southwestern parts of the state was estimated at one bobcat per 3.1 to 4.1 square kilometers. Other states with documented bobcat densities range from one bobcat per 2.1 square kilometers to one bobcat per 23.3 square kilometers. Although bobcat density varies widely, it is likely related to prey availability and abundance, and the population may respond to changes in prey abundance by increasing or decreasing home range size.
Management and Research
As with most predatory species, perspectives on the ecological value of bobcats and their management have evolved over the past century. Before the early 1970s, there was relatively little public concern for the status of bobcats. They were classified as a predator in most states and protected by closed seasons in only a few. Bobcats were widely viewed as a threat to agriculture and game species and were not considered an important part of the ecosystem. They were extirpated in many Eastern states by the mid-1800s, largely as a result of agricultural practices, as forests and grasslands that provide necessary cover for bobcats were converted to farmland. To some extent, overharvest because of the lack of harvest regulations also played a role. However, as the value of pelts and harvest increased and perspectives changed about the ecological role served by predators, concerns were raised about potential overexploitation of bobcats. In 1975, the management and harvest of bobcats became more regulated with the implementation of federal and state agency monitoring programs. As a result of effective management, bobcat populations have grown and are expanding across much of their geographic range. They have repopulated many Eastern states and expanded farther northward in Canada. Most states now report stable to increasing bobcat populations.
In Arizona, bobcats are considered a renewable wildlife resource and are managed to maintain present range, distribution and population levels in the state. Regulated hunting is one tool wildlife managers use to keep predator and prey populations balanced and reduce adverse impacts on any of those populations. Harvest is monitored to ensure it is not detrimental to the bobcat population.
AZGFD is actively researching bobcats across the state to estimate survival rates and evaluate cause-specific mortality. These data will be useful in developing a population model to estimate statewide bobcat abundance. Additionally, researchers will evaluate home range size, overlap and seasonal movements, assess diet across different habitat associations, describe denning chronology and investigate diseases that can affect bobcats. Previous research on bobcats in Arizona has included estimating density and home range sizes and investigating seasonal diets.