Page 50 - ODO 2024 JanFeb online version

Watchable Wildlife
The Bobcat
By Lily Tumala, Communication Intern

THE BOBCAT

BY LILY TUMALA, COMMUNICATION INTERN

Bobcats tend to be elusive and aren’t Bobcats are mainly territorial and will
often seen even though they are the often mark their territories to avoid confron-
most abundant of the wild cats in the tations with one another.
United States. Bobcats typically live in isolation, but
The animal’s scientific name is Lynx rufus. they will often have more than one mate
Other wild cats in the Lynx genus are the within their lifetime. Breeding occurs in Feb-
Canadian lynx, Eurasian lynx, and Iberian ruary and March. The female will typically
lynx. The bobcat is considered to be the give birth to about three kittens about 65
smallest species in the Lynx genus. They can days after mating.
grow to a length of 26 to 41 inches and can The female and kittens mostly reside
weigh from 11 to 30 pounds. in dens in heavily wooded areas, moun-
Observers can often distinguish the Lynx tain regions and even deserts. Bobcats are
genus apart from adaptable creatures, which is why they can
the Felidae family be found throughout North America.
This wild cat has a black- based on physical Bobcats are very good hunters. They
tipped tail that is stubby, features. The cats target small- to medium-size rodents such

or “bobbed,” the trait for in the Lynx genus as squirrels and mice, opossums, rabbits,
which it was named. more often have birds, and sometimes domestic animals
short tails and tuft- such as small dogs and cats.
ed ears that easily Bobcats are excellent swimmers, and
set them apart from other feline families. they can run up to 30 mph. The best place
This wild cat has a black-tipped tail that to see a bobcat is around clear-cut areas
is stubby, or “bobbed,” the trait for which it where hunting and good cover are available.
was named. One way to attract a bobcat is by imitat-
The bobcat’s fur is often tan or brown ing the sound of a rabbit in distress. Many
with black or brown spots. They usually hunters use this method to lure a bobcat
have black bars on their forelegs. The fur into range.
around the cat’s underbelly is lighter in Bobcats are considered furbearers in
color. The bobcat’s thick coat allows it to Oklahoma, and hunters are required to
inhabit colder climates. have a furbearer license to harvest them.
A bobcat’s life span can be as long as 12 A trapping license also applies if that is the
years in the wild and more than twice that method of take. Bobcats may be harvested
long in captivity. during December, January and February.
Bobcats are known to be fiercely indepen- There is no daily limit for bobcats, but there
dent and solitary animals. But from Decem- is a season limit of 20 per furbearer license.
ber to April, which includes mating season, There are also special tagging regulations
they will share territories and mingle. that apply to bobcats.

48 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA