EASTERN BOBCAT Lynx rufus

Both the bobcat (Lynx rufus) and the Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis) are loosely called wildcats. The bobcat is usually referred to as a bobcat and sometimes as a bay lynx, while the Canadian lynx is often simply called a lynx. Despite the similarity in colloquial names, these cats are different species, and their population status is different in Vermont. The bobcat is still at home in most areas of the state even though he is rarely seen. Nocturnal habits and nocturnal wariness lead many people to underestimate the numbers of bobcats we have. The Canadian lynx, on the other hand, is a create of the ’big woods’ and is not nearly as adaptable as the bobcat. The lynx is nearly extinct in Vermont. Accordingly, the Canadian lynx is now protected in Vermont and is listed on Vermont’s Endangered Species List. For information about Vermont’s Endangered Species List, email [email protected].

Vermont Wildlife Fact Sheet

Physical Description Tawny might be more descriptive. In dense tuft of longer black hair on winter, the bobcat’s short dense it, or this feature may be totally Bobcats are generally fur is noticeably grayer. In New absent. somewhat larger than a big England, the bobcat’s fur has been The feet of the bobcat are well- housecat, averaging 15 to 20 found to vary seasonally and also furred and lightly spotted. Its pounds, although every year a few according to habitat. Bobcats in footprints are nearly round like males in the 30 to 35 pound class mostly mature woods tend to those of a domestic cat. Tracks of are taken in Vermont. Rarely, a have darker coats. ‘cat’ will go to 40 pounds. A few young bobcats can easily be have been recorded from 40 to 46 Year round, its belly and legs confused with tracks left by a pounds in both Vermont and New are heavily spotted with black. roaming housecat. Adult housecat Hampshire, and one old record Black streaks stand out in sharp printers, however are much from Jackson, New Hampshire contrast on the white of the smaller than those left by an adult was noted at 52 pounds. muzzle and radiate out from its bobcat — and the bobcat’s usually face on the long cheek fur. Black are substantially smaller than The short bobbed tail, white lines also occur in a symmetric those left by its cousin, the below and black banded on top, pattern on top of the bobcat’s Canadian lynx. ending in a broad band at its tip is head, and they usually can be All cats have retractable claws probably responsible for the name seen on the sides of the body, but which pivot up into recesses in of this cat. The bay lynx name for the latter are often quite obscure. the bobcat is also quite the soft, padded toes for normal appropriate in that bay means The bobcat’s ears are and very quiet traveling. The reddish-brown although the term distinctive. White and well-furred needle-sharp, curved claws are on generally suggests too dark a color inside with jet black meeting the ready call, however, and are for the cat. Even in summer when sharp white inside edge, the back brought into immediate action by this cat has a noticeably redder of the ear is black except for a special muscles. Claw marks coat, its overall appearance is large, white, more or less sometimes show if the cat has relatively light, the brown being triangular patch in the center. The taken off on a long leap or mixed with gray and yellow. tip of the ear may have a short climbed a tree. They may also

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department FW 8/2014 Eastern Bobcat Fact Sheet ♦ 1 show on a prey victim the bobcat Gestation is about 60 days, traveling with a kitten or two has taken. In a fight for survival, bringing the birth of the well- from the previous spring. Tracks which usually is a last resort, or spotted kittens generally into late of two or more bobcats traveling when hunger forces it to take on May or early June. Three kittens is together are invariably made by a long odds, the cat uses its sharp a good average in New England. family group. Adult bobcats are claws on the front feet to hold They arrive such like house cats, not social animals, and do not onto larger prey while the back well-furred and eyes sealed. Eyes tolerate the attention of the claws severely rake its quarry. But open in about a week to ten days. opposite sex except during the the kill usually results from a well For the first two weeks, they are breeding season. But when mating -placed bite from the bobcat’s content to stay huddled together. time does come, last year’s kittens sharp canine teeth. At feeding time, they mew and are on their own in the big world. crawl over each other in the Then they must find their own manner of pet kittens the same territory. The old home range is when searching for the milk reserved by the female for her supply. Once satisfied, they sleep new family as long as it fulfills her most of the time. Their activity needs. soon increases, and at three weeks Life Cycle they are playing vigorously in the Food Mating usually occurs in late den, but sleep still occupies much Mice, rats, squirrels, snowshoe March or early April. After of their time. hare, cottontail rabbits, birds, mating, the male and female The coat they wear at birth carrion, and occasionally deer separate, apparently until the next lasts only about two months, and constitute the bobcat’s diet. They breeding period. Household then they begin to look like are opportunists and will take chores are left to mother, who miniature adults. They are usually almost any small animal when the takes her time selecting a den site. weaned at this time and may opportunity presents itself. Since bobcats are resourceful, venture outside the den. Curiosity Habits intelligent animals, they are found is inborn, and they play and all across the country and investigate everything near the The otter gets credit for being evidently adapt to widely varying den. By midsummer, the kittens the funster in the wild. And there surroundings. Abandoned travel on short trips with their isn’t much argument on the score logging buildings in the east and mother. They venture further since they are born teasers, make those in ghost towns of the west from the den on their own as well their own playground slides, and supply some den sites for these and may begin camping in new seem to really enjoy life beyond wildcats. They not only find temporary dens as they survival. Perhaps the bobcat rates protection and shelter for their accompany mother on training second in this regard. If you don’t young family in such places, but sessions. think so, follow a bobcat track they also find an adequate supply without dogs on a winter snow of rats and mice that figure largely The bobcat kitten, like all wild just to see what he does and in their diet. animals, has a lot to learn from the where he goes. He doesn’t avoid parent in order to become water nearly as much as most In Vermont, however, most proficient enough at survival to dens are found in crevices of people think. He will wade in become an adult. Being alert is shallow water and even choose to abundant ledges, and occasionally instinctive. Making sure of under turned-over stumps or logs swim point-to-point across quiet instincts is generally taught or water. Adept at tree climbing, a of a blowdown. The den is simply learned from mistakes. The a dry, protected space large bobcat will climb a tree to take a training appears to be done solely nap in the shade on a large limb. enough to accommodate the by the mother. It is uncommon to female with her kittens for the Trees also provide a means of find tracks in the snow as late as escape, and sometimes prove the limited time they will use it. January which show a female still Eastern Bobcat Fact Sheet ♦ 2 animal’s undoing as it ‘trees’ percent covered by forest. That before hunting hounds. didn’t leave much habitat for the bobcats. Now Vermont is 75 It is common when tracking a percent forest covered. ‘cat’ to find that it goes out of its Abandoned farmland has been way to walk a horizontal pole or taken over again by trees, but log well off the ground, like a even now when compared to youngster walking a picket fence. some of our other wildlife, When it has met the challenge, it bobcats are not ‘plentiful’ often returns to the earlier line of anywhere. They never were and travel. they never will be because of Bobcats seem to jump or given being at the top of the food chain. short chase to nearly any moving Current Management thing in close range, whether for food or fun. Like house cats, they The bobcat always had the are stalkers and sitters when reputation of being a bad guy, hunting. It is not their nature to and he was persecuted because of give active chase for more than a it. In recent Vermont history, a ten short distance. dollar bounty was paid for the killing of a bobcat. It lasted until Eyes and ears are the greatest 1972 when it was repealed. safeguards and best hunting assets bobcats have. The cats poke and smell under logs to disrupt chipmunks, mice, or other prey that might be hiding under them, but following a scent trail is not in this animal’s bag of tricks.

Hair-raising tales of the ferocity of bobcats are largely untrue. Most ‘cat’ hunters will tell you that bobcats put up a big bluff. Often the ‘cats’ trust the bluff too much. History

The bobcat is a native Vermont animal. He was here when the first settlers arrived. Zadock Thompson, a Vermont naturalist, said in his 1853 edition of Natural History of Vermont that by then the bobcat was “...very rare, being only occasionally seen, in the most unsettled parts of the state.” This would coincide with the decline of forest land in Vermont. By the 1870s, Vermont was only 30

Eastern Bobcat Fact Sheet ♦ 3