🐈⬛ Bobcat
Lynx rufus
Mammal4 toes1.5–2.5 in wide, roundish
About
A short-tailed wild cat about twice the size of a house cat. Secretive, mostly unseen, and a very tidy walker.
Track
1.5–2.5 in wide, roundish. Four toes, no claw marks (claws retract). Round overall shape, wider than long. Leading toe is asymmetrical, like a cat's. Large heel pad with a distinct three-lobed rear edge.
Where they live
Scrubland, swamps, forests, rocky canyons, quiet suburban edges. Southern Canada through most of the U.S. and into Mexico.
When they're active
Crepuscular — peak activity at dawn and dusk
What they eat
Rabbits, rodents, birds, occasionally young deer
Fun fact
A bobcat can leap around 10 feet in a single pounce.
Should I be concerned?
Very rarely a threat to people. Watch from a distance, keep chickens secured, and never corner one.