ANIMAL BYTES: THE BOBCAT

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• The bobcat gets its name from its stubby tail.  It is about twice the size of a house cat.  Females are slightly smaller than males.  Of the thirteen recognized sub species of bobcat, the Florida subspecies Lynx rufus floridanus is the smallest. 

• Like most cats, the bobcat is territorial and mostly solitary.  Males will occupy ranges of from about 8-40 square miles.  Females less than half that.  Ranges of various individuals may overlap.  The bobcat marks it territory with scratch marks and with urine and feces.  Bobcats are crepuscular – hunting mostly at dawn and dusk. 

• In reproduction the gestation period is only about two months.  Usually 2-4 kittens are born which the female cares for alone.