National Park Service Klamath Network Featured Creature U.S. Department of the Interior

Natural Resource Stewardship & Science Klamath Network Bobcat May 2018 Lynx rufus Field Notes thickets, rocky areas, and mountains. In the Species. However, they were at risk before Pacific Northwest, they prefer dense restrictions on hunting and trapping were coniferous forests during the day for made. In 1973, the Convention on

resting. As nocturnal mammals, they prowl International Trade in Endangered Species and hunt at night, sometimes through clear- of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) treaty was cut open areas. created to protect the cheetah, leopard, jaguar, and ocelot from being killed for fur. Female bobcats have smaller home ranges But Lynx rufus was not accounted for until (averaging 1295 ha or 5 mi2) than males (up it became a huge target for fur traders. In to 20,720 ha or 80 mi2). Home range size is 1982, Congress settled this problem in an strongly influenced by prey availability and Commons Creative Bouchard, Philip amendment that limits the number of weather conditions, and greatest movement Bobcat lying in grassy area. Note its pointed bobcat trapping and hunting licenses sold. ears. occurs during spring and summer months. In Oregon, one must possess a valid Bobcats are a common animal in the Behavior and Feeding furbearer or hunting license and only hunt during the bobcat harvest season. Bobcat Klamath Region but few can say they’ve Bobcats are strictly carnivorous and prey on kills are limited to five in eastern Oregon seen one in the wild. They likely evolved a variety of animals, including rabbits and and zero in western Oregon per year. In from the Eurasian lynx, which immigrated hares, small rodents, birds, reptiles, and California, the same rules apply and there is to North America from Asia via the Bering insects. Infrequently, bobcats may pursue a statewide limit of five bobcat kills. Land Bridge during the Pleistocene Epoch. larger prey like young black-tailed deer. The bobcat is a close relative to the larger Where to See Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis). They are of During breeding season, bobcats caterwaul, the same family as the cougar (Puma and when they feel threatened, they spit, Bobcats are present in all Klamath Network concolor), but not the same genus. growl, and hiss to ward off predators. They parks. However, they are very secretive and are stealthy predators with excellent vision, are rarely seen in the wild (except on trail Bobcats are medium sized cats and the especially at night, and sharp claws and cameras). smallest member of the genus, Lynx. Their canines that are ideal for catching prey. European cousins—the Eurasian lynx and Iberian lynx—are much larger than both the Reproduction and Life Cycle bobcat and the Canada lynx. Bobcats weigh They are a solitary species, but males and from 4.5 kg to 18 kg (10 to 40 lbs), females associate during the breeding averaging 7 kg (15 lbs). They are named season through their entire life span. after their “bobbed” tail, which is black Females can have a litter of one to five tipped and about 5 cm (2 in) in length with kittens per year and they raise them for white coloring underneath. Their color about one year before separation. It takes Linda Tanner, Creative Commons Creative Tanner, Linda ranges between pale brown, gray brown, or females one year to reach sexual maturity Bobcat walking in urban area. Bobcats deep reddish brown, marked with diffused and two years for males to reach sexual sometimes use roads and trails to avoid deep spots on their back and white or cream maturity. They can live up to 14 years in the snow areas that limit mobility. coloring with blackspots on their chest, wild and have few predators; however, More Information belly, and the insides of their legs. some threats to life include cougars, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/anima hunting and trapping, speeding cars, Habitat and Distribution ls/mammals/b/bobcat/ downed power lines, porcupine quills and Bobcats range from Southern Canada obstruction of habitat due to urban https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/bobcat through much of the continental U.S and development and agriculture. into Central Mexico. They are habitat bobcat audio clip: generalists—living in dens amongst a range Conservation https://www.freesoundeffects.com/free- of terrain, including forests, swamps, Bobcats are not listed as an Endangered sounds/bobcat-10018/

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM Prepar ed by Elizabeth Ray nal December 19, 2018