Bobcats


Bobcat tracks show four toes on the front foot and four toes on the hind foot. Cats do not show their claws in their tracks because they are retractable. Cats, unlike dogs, keep their claws sharp by not walking on them.

Bobcats are active any time. They are seen in the daytime, but do a lot of hunting at night. They hunt small mammals, such as mice and squirrels, but can take an animal as large as a deer. Bobcats are shy animals and are not often seen by humans. They can range up to 50 miles a day while hunting, but usually hunt within an area of four to five square miles. They hunt from the ground, but will pounce on prey from trees.

Bobcat young are born in April or May. The average is three kittens per litter. They are born blind and stay with their mother until fall.

Bobcat scat is in segments and usually contains the hair and bones of its prey. Bobcats get up to about 30 pounds. They have short tails (six to seven inches long), while mountain lions have long ones. The end of the tail is black, tipped with white.


Click here to see drawings of bobcat tracks.


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Send e-mail or questions to: hrsp@northcoast.com


http://www.northcoast.com/~hrsp/bobcat.html
Revised: 29 August 1997
Written by Kim A. Cabrera
Copyright © 1997 Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association
hrsp@northcoast.com


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