Bobcat: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Small Wild Cats · day 3 of 7

Five facts

1. Bobcats are busiest at dusk and dawn. They roam from three hours before sunset to around midnight, then again before sunrise.
2. Bobcat home ranges vary hugely, from about 0.6 km² to 326 km².
3. To catch geese, ducks, rabbits or hares, a bobcat hides and creeps closer, then charges once its prey is just 6 to 11 m away.
4. If a dog chases it, a bobcat will usually escape up a tree. Its spotted coat helps it blend in too.
5. In one study, prey up to eight times a bobcat's weight was successfully taken. After a rare deer kill, it buries the rest under snow or leaves.

The quiz

1. When are bobcats most active?

• At noon
• Only in deep winter
• At twilight (correct)
• Only at midnight

Bobcats are crepuscular: most active around dusk and dawn.

2. How big can a bobcat territory be at the largest?

• 326 km² (correct)
• 3 km²
• 0.6 km²
• 10 km²

Home ranges go from about 0.6 km² up to 326 km².

3. How close does a bobcat let geese or rabbits get before it charges?

• About 1 m
• 6 to 11 m (correct)
• About 50 m
• About 100 m

It creeps closer and charges once prey is 6 to 11 m away.

4. What does a bobcat usually do when chased by a dog?

• Dive into water
• Dig a hole
• Roar loudly
• Climb a tree (correct)

A bobcat chased by a dog will usually escape up a tree.

5. Where does a bobcat bury the rest of a deer it has killed?

• In a river
• In a tree hole
• Under snow or leaves (correct)
• In sand dunes

After killing a deer, it buries the carcass under snow or leaves.

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