California
Lynx rufus  Gerald and Buff Corsi, California Academy of Sciences | |
| Type of Animal: | Mammals |
|---|---|
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Felidae |
| Federal Status: | |
| State Status: | |
| Occurrence: | |
| Habitat: | Scrubland,Forests,Swamps,Farmland |
| Description: | Bobcats are nocturnal animals, but they are also opportunistic, so they may be active during the day if there is a chance of catching a good meal. They are distinguished by their characteristic short tail, spotted coat, and pointy ears. Be careful if you see one - these cats are not as afraid of humans as some of California's other wild cats! Bobcats will eat almost any type of animal, ranging from small rodents to an entire deer. They will consume small prey immediately, but if they catch a large animal they may hide it and return later. These animals hunt for food by stalking, rushing, and attacking prey. Hunting uses up a lot of energy, so the best meal for bobcats are large meals that will last for quite a few days. If food is scarce bobcats have the ability of going several days without food. Bobcats are solitary animals and only come together during the mating season. They mate in late winter and the young are born in spring. A typical litter consists of three kits. The young begin hunting at about one month and leave their mothers soon after that. Foxes and owls are common predators of bobcats, but their worst enemies are humans. Bobcats typically die from being struck by automobiles or from being hunted. |
| Effort: | |
| References: | Jameson et al. 1988. California Mammals. Wilson et al. (editors). 1999. The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. Whitaker (editor). 1998. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals, Revised Edition. Zeiner et al. (editors). 1990. California’s Wildlife, Volume III, Mammals. |
| Other Sites: | |
| Field Office(s): | Bakersfield; Barstow; Eagle Lake; Mother Lode; Hollister; Needles; Palm Springs; Redding; Ridgecrest; Ukiah |