Bobcat (mammal)

The bobcat is a wild cat indigenous to North America. The bobcat, Lynx rufus, is a mammal and belongs to the family Felidae (cat family).

The bobcat is so named for its short or "bobbed" tail. It is a fierce predator for its size, its diet consisting mainly of rodents, hares and birds although it has been known to take deer. It stands approximately 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) high at the shoulder and is brownish grey in color. The male bobcat typically weighs from 11-16 kg (24-35 lb) and its habitat is most of western and southeastern United States in North America. There are few bobcats in Canada, which is the primary habitat of the related Canadian lynx.

Bobcats are carnivores that typically hunt wild rabbits, hares, and rodents, but will also attempt to hunt the larger deer in winter months when other food is scarce.