Bobcat

		SIZE

		HEIGHT:	To shoulder: 12-18 in.
		LENGTH:	25-30 in.
		WEIGHT:	15-60 lbs.

		BREEDING

		MATURITY:	N/A
		MATING:	Young can be born in any month, but are usually born in the spring.
		GESTATION:	50-60 days.
		# OF YOUNG :	1-7 kittens, but usually 2.

		LIFESTYLE

		HABIT:	Mostly nocturnal and solitary.
		DIET:	Small mammals and birds.
		LIFESPAN:	15-25 years in captivity.

		SCIENTIFIC NAME

		FAMILY:	Similar species: Lynx and other cats. Classified as "Lynx rufus".

		GENERAL INFORMATION

		The bobcat primarily occurs in scrubby country and broken forests, but adapts to swamps, farmlands and arid lands if they are rocky or brushy. They range from coast to coast throughout southern Canada. The Bobcat is gray with distinct black spots. The tail is short and stubby with 2 or 3 black bars. The face has broken black lines that radiate onto the cheek. is an excellent climber who often waits in the trees to pounce on their prey that includes rodents, hares, squirrels and birds; they also may take the occasional deer. Predators of the bobcat include cougars, coyotes, wolves and humans, who use their fur for trim. The Bobcat may wander 25- 50 miles, but usually only venture 2 or 3 miles from their territory. The female bobcat is territorial, staking out a home range that varies from two to more than 40 square miles, with overlapping of female boundaries uncommon. Territorial boundaries are marked with urine, scent from anal glands, and feces deposited on the ground and vegetation during frequent boundary patrols. Male territories frequently overlap those of other males, and usually contain the territories of a number of females. Availability of food is the primary factor in determination of the extent of overlap in territorial boundaries. During the breeding season, the two sexes seek each other briefly, resuming their solitary ways after several days. Mating generally occurs in late winter to early spring resulting in two to four offspring arriving after a gestation period of about 60 days. The kittens are generally born in secluded dens, varying greatly depending on local habitat, including rocky outcrops, abandoned burrows, brushy thickets and rotting snags. Blind at birth and weighing less than one pound, the kittens are entirely dependant on their mother for protection and nourishment, although it is not unusual for the male bobcat to help provide food. The kittens first venture from the den at the age of five weeks and by nine months, become more independent and venture out to establish territories of their own.

"My husband and I thought this was going to be a tourist trap, but a friend made me promise to visit. I am so glad that I did! It was an amazing visit. We saw huge Elk, moutain lions, wolfs and bears. We were lucky enough to see a wolf chasing a bear...I think they were playing!"

BB
Austin, Texas