Bobcat

Appearance Bobcats are small to medium-sized cats with muscular bodies, distinct markings, and a short bobbed tail (4-6"). Adult bobcats generally weigh between 12 and 25 pounds. Females are much smaller than males. Bobcats are sometimes confused with other cat species. Once you know what to look for, it is easy to identify them.

Bobcats have round face with ruffs of fur on the side of the head giving the appearance of sideburns. They have pointed ears and short ear tufts with prominent white dots on the back of the ears. Their body is covered in brown to light gray fur with black spots and bars, and the tip of the tail is black on top and white on the underside.

Size comparison of cat species
Bobcats are approximately one quarter the size of mountain lion. Bobcats are generally two to three times as large as a domestic house cat with a more muscular body. Bobcat tails are “bobbed” in appearance and much shorter than the tail of mountain lion or domestic cat.

Diet
Bobcats are mostly carnivorous. Their diet consists of a variety of animals, such as rabbits, rodents, wood rats, porcupines, raccoons, deer fawns, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects. Bobcats will stalk or ambush their prey from the ground, trees, logs, or rocks. They sometimes consume plant materials such as grass. Bobcats will also opportunistically hunt pets or small livestock such as chickens if those animals are not kept in a secure enclosure at night.