Bobcat Unique

Animals Unique | Bobcat Unique |  Bobcat Classification and EvolutionThe Bobcat is a medium-sized wildcat That is found in a variety of habitats across the southern half of North America. They are widespread and adaptable predators That are closely related to the larger and more northerly Canadian Lynx dwelling with the biggest difference being the Bobcat That only has a small "bobbed" tail, from the which it gets it's name.

 

Measuring about double the size of a domestic cat, the Bobcat has the greatest range of all North American felines, but Their secretive nature means That They are seldom seen by people. There are currently twelve recognised sub-species of Bobcat the which Vary in their colouration and geographic range, with individuals being found in mountainous forest with darker markings more than lighter-colored Their cousins ​​That are found in more arid, semi-desert regions.Bobcat Anatomy and AppearanceDue to the fact That the Bobcat belongs to the same family as the Lynx, They are similar in appearance but not at all the same. The Bobcat is smaller in size and has smaller feet and Tufts ear than the Canadian Lynx, and Often tends to be darker in color. Bobcats have beige to brown or reddish fur mottled or spotted That is with the intensity of these markings depending on the individual and where it lives (Those found in more open, arid areas growing niche to have fewer markings than Those found amongst dense cover). 

 

 

The Underside of the Bobcat is white so the spots are darker and more distinctive They also have a white tip to Their short, black tail, the which only Grows to around 15cm in length. Like the larger Lynx, the Bobcat has ear Tufts are thought to heighten That Their hearing along with also having a ruff of longer fur around it's face.Bobcat Distribution and HabitatThe Bobcat is the most Widely distributed of all North American felines and is found across North America from southern parts of Canada right down to southern Mexico. They are incredibly versatile animals have adapted to living That in a variety of different habitats throughout the three different countries. Although bobcats are known to prefer rocky hillsides are well-vegetated That, They are found in different habitats throughout Their Numerous natural mountain range Including woodlands, coniferous forest, swampland, deserts and even in suburban areas in some places. The exact appearance of the Bobcat depends on what kind of habitat it is found in as the differing coat colors allow the individual to REMAIN as camouflaged as possible in it's surroundings. The historical range of the Bobcat once extended right across North America but the capture of Them for Their Their fur and loss of habitat has led naturally to the Disappearance of them in some areas.Bobcat Behaviour and LifestyleThe Bobcat is solitary and nocturnal animal That is most active in the darkness of night, tending to hunt during dawn and dusk most.

 

 

 During the day, the Bobcats sleep and rest in dens in the form of a hollow tree or rock Crevice with one individual having a number of dens within it's home range. Bobcats are highly territorial and mark Their ranges with scents from urine and faeces and Their distinctive claw marks on trees to alert others of Their presence. Males patrol a large home range Often Overlaps the which a number of smaller female territories but the two will not until the breeding season Interact the which begins in the winter. At other times of the year though, the Bobcats growing niche to avoid one another to Reduced the chances of them being injured in a fight.Bobcat Reproduction and Life CyclesBobcats can be found together only during the breeding season when both lazy and Females can mate with multiple partners and after a gestation period That last for 8-10 weeks, the female Bobcat Gives birth to a litter of up to six kittens in a safe and secluded den. Bobcat kittens are born blind and Their Eyes open after about 10 days, feeding on Their mother's milk until old enough They are to begin consuming meat. Most births occur in the late winter or early spring with Bobcat kittens with Their mother usually remaining until the next winter when They are around eight months old and have learnt how to hunt independently. Female Bobcats growing niche to have a single litter every year and after mating, the male plays no part in Bobcat rearing the young.

 

 

Diet and Prey BobcatThe Bobcat is a feline Carnivorous That meaning it only Hunts and eats other animals in order to gain the Nutrients That it needs to survive. Mainly Bobcats hunt small Mammals like Rabbits, Hares and Mice along with Birds close to the ground and the occasional Lizard. During the harsher winter months They are also known to hunt larger animals Including Deer and will also feed on fresh carrion. The Bobcat is an incredibly elusive predator Hunts That it's prey by stalking it silently in the dark before pouncing on it with incredible force, and Despite Their size, the Bobcats are known to be Able to kill animals are much larger than That Themselves. In areas where growing human settlements have encroached on the Bobcat's natural habitat, They have also been known to take occasional livestock Such as poultry and sheep.Bobcat Predators and ThreatsThe Bobcat is a Fierce and dominant predator in it's natural habitat with adult Bobcats therefore being Threatened by few animals, the biggest concern to them being Cougars and Wolves. The small and vulnerable Bobcat kittens however, are preyed upon by a number of predators Including Coyotes and Owls That are Able to hunt whilst the kittens there mother has gone off to hunt. The biggest threat to Bobcat Populations throughout North America is People that have Previously hunted to near extinction the Bobcat in some areas for Their soft fur. In areas where the Bobcats are now forced to share Their natural ranges with growing numbers of people, They have also been hunted by farmers WHO Fear for Their livestock. Despite the fact That They are very adaptable animals, Bobcats are also been Threatened by habitat loss being pushed into Populations with smaller and more isolated regions of the vast natural Their range once.

 

 

Bobcat Interesting Facts and FeaturesThe Bobcat is also known as the Red Lynx due to the fact That the two are very similar in appearance but the Bobcat tends to be much darker in color and Richer than Their northern relatives. They are incredibly powerful yet secretive animals That are Able to pounce on Their prey from up to three meters away before delivering aspects a fatal bite, allowing the Bobcats to also hunt animals That may be up to double Their Own size. Although the Bobcats are not greatly Generally quiet and vocal animals, the growls and snarls Fierce That They Make when They are hiding Often leads people to believe That there is a Mountain Lion in the area.Bobcat Relationship with HumansBobcats have a wide variety Historically dominated habitats across North America of with the Bobcat known to people all over the continent, having roots in Native American folklore and in tales of the first European settlers in the Northern USA and Canada. However, the beauty, softness and density of the Bobcat's fur leads to an Increased value in their pelts and therefore the hunting of them from the early to mid 1900s particularly Populations That completely decimated in the mid-western and eastern USA.

 

 

 Although They are now internationally protected, the hunting of bobcats still Continues in some areas, particularly with the densest Those Populations. They are also seen as pests by farmers That hunt Bobcats to protect Their livestock, particularly in Mexico where it has led to the Mexican Bobcat being listed as an Endangered species.Bobcat Conservation Status and Life TodayToday, the Bobcat is listed by the IUCN as an animal is of Least Concern That from Becoming extinct in it's native environment in the near future. Since the international protection of the Bobcat in the 1970s put an end to the extensive trading of Their fur, Populations have been Able to recover and are stable throughout much of Their natural range. However, in areas where there is Increasing levels of human activity, numbers are still declining due to both hunting and habitat loss. There are estimated to be 1,200,000 Bobcat Between 800.000 and individuals left in the wild of North America.

 

 

 Bobcat Unique Facts Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: mammals Order: Carnivora  Family: Felidae Genus: LynxScientific Name: Lynx RufusCommon Name: Bobcat Other Name (s): Red Lynx, WildcatGroup: MammalNumber Of Species: 12Location: North AmericaHabitat: Mountainous forest, swamp, desertColour: Tawny, Beige, Brown, Red, Black, WhiteSkin Type: FurSize (L): 65cm - 100cm (25in - 40in)Weight: 4.1kg - 15.3g (9lbs - 33lbs)Top Speed: 55kph (34mph)Diet: Carnivore Prey: Rabbits, Mice, DeerPredators: Cougar, Wolves, CoyotesLifestyle: Nocturnal / CrepuscularGroup Behaviour: SolitaryLife Span: 12-15 yearsAge Of Sexual Maturity: 1-2 yearsGestation Period: 60-70 daysAverage Litter Size: 3Name Of Young: KittenAge Of Weaning: 12 weeksConservation Status: Least ConcernEstimated Population Size: 1,000,000Biggest Threat: Hunting and habitat lossMost Distinctive Feature: Short ear and bobbed tail TuftsFun Fact: About double the size of a domestic cat!