The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is America’s most common native feline and is found throughout Alabama. Though widespread, spotting a bobcat is often considered noteworthy—and sometimes even a bit frightening.

Due to changing land use practices, habitat improvements, and stricter harvest regulations, bobcat numbers have increased across most states, including Alabama, during the last 40 years. Urban sprawl and habitat fragmentation are leading to more frequent human-bobcat encounters. With these facts in mind and to coexist more comfortably with this species, learn to identify the bobcat, its habitat and behavior, hunting and trapping requirements, and how to manage human-bobcat conflicts.

Bobcat Identification

The bobcat gets its name from its short, stubby or bobbed tail (figure 1). Overall, bobcats vary in color but often have brown, reddish, or grayish fur with dark spots and stripes. The lips, chin, and underparts are typically off-white, and the tail is black tipped. Bobcats have black ear tufts with white spots near the tips. Their heads often appear larger than they are because of the ruffs or long hair growing downward from beneath the ears (figure 2).

These medium-sized cats are significantly bigger than the average domestic cat (Felis catus) but much smaller than a cougar (mountain lion, Puma concolor). Males are the larger of the sexes. Across their distribution, males typically weigh between 14 and 43 pounds, while females range between 9 and 34 pounds. They usually measure 31 to 48 inches in length from nose to tail. A bobcat will stand between 1 and 2 feet tall at shoulder height.

Aside from size differences, bobcats can be distinguished from domestic cats and cougars by pattern and tail length, with the other two cats having significantly longer tails relative to body length. Refer to “Alabama Cougars: Sorting Fact from Fiction” on the Alabama Extension website at www.aces.edu for more information on cougars in the state. Melanistic or all-black bobcats have been recorded, and any black cats observed in the state are either melanistic bobcats or domestic cats.

In the absence of the animal itself, tracks can be used to identify a bobcat. Like domestic cats and cougars, tracks show four toes on both the front and back feet. All cats in Alabama have retractable claws and, unlike other carnivores in the state, do not make claw marks with their paw prints. Although bobcat, cougar, and domestic cat tracks look similar, mature individuals can be distinguished by track size. Generally, domestic cats will have paw prints 1″×1″, bobcats 2”×2”, and cougars 3”×3”. In other words, a 2” track in Alabama would most likely be a bobcat (figure 3).

Figure 3. Although similar in shape, tracks from an adult cat vary by species in size and are presented from smallest to largest:

Habitat & Behavior

In Alabama, bobcats can be found in various habitats, including canyons, heavily wooded uplands, rocky outcroppings, brushy areas, semi-open farmland, or swamps. Bobcats are crepuscular, meaning they are mostly active in the early mornings or late evenings but sometimes during the day. Active bobcats will often travel between 2 and 7 miles throughout their daily activities. During the day, bobcats often rest in hollow trees, rock crevices, or thick vegetation. Like many felines, bobcats are territorial and will mark territory boundaries with claw marks, urine, and feces. Home range size, or the area where a bobcat normally lives, varies widely but is usually at least several square miles, with home ranges of more than 100 square miles recorded.

Bobcats are ambush predators. In Alabama, rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.) are their preferred prey; however, they will also prey on various other rodents, small mammals, birds, insects, and reptiles. When food is scarce, bobcats may prey on larger animals, such as white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and smaller livestock, such as pigs, sheep, and goats. They may also scavenge the remains of livestock and deer. Overall, this species is an opportunistic hunter. They will tolerate hunting in most weather conditions and eat almost any available animal, especially when their preferred food, particularly rabbits, is scarce.

Being solitary, adult bobcats are usually only seen together during mating season. In Alabama, breeding peaks between December and February. Female bobcats give birth in a den constructed of dead leaves, dried grasses, and moss. Dens are often located in holes under tree roots, in hollow logs, or under rock ledges. After 2 months of gestation, one to six kittens are born with an average litter size of two or three. Kittens are weaned after 2 months and stay with their mother until she becomes pregnant again.

Hunting & Trapping

In Alabama, bobcats are classified as game animals and furbearers. Alabama permits the hunting of bobcats year-round with no bag limit. Shooting bobcats, however, must be during daylight hours only. If hunting on public lands, such as wildlife management areas, only weapons and ammunition approved for hunting deer, turkey, or small game are allowed, depending on the season. Refer to the current year’s Regulations Book of Game, Fish, Furbearers, and Other Wildlife online or in print.

For greater chances of a successful hunt, consider the following tips:

• As mentioned, the bobcat’s preferred prey is rabbits. High rabbit numbers or good rabbit habitat increases the chance that a bobcat will be around too.
• Confirm a bobcat is in the area through tracks, scat, or game cameras. Bobcat scat can look superficially like coyote (Canis latrans) scat but tends to be rounded at the ends instead of tapered and dense (figure 4). Bobcat scat may also contain more feathers and fur than coyote scat.
• Consider using callers, either handheld mouth or electronic ones, to increase hunting success. Electronic callers are allowed for hunting predators provided the caller does not contain any recordings of birds except for crows (Ala. Admin. Code r. 220-2-.11). Reed rabbit squealers and electronic callers with rabbit sounds tend to work best.

Although bobcats can be hunted year-round, they cannot be trapped year-round. The defined trapping season typically runs from late October to late February. Please check the official dates for seasons and bag limits in the current regulations book.

As with all furbearers, it is illegal to use a leghold trap with a jaw spread greater than 6 inches in diameter (figure 5), a leghold trap with teeth or sharp edges inside the jaws, and body-gripping traps with a jaw width greater than 5 inches on land. In addition, hanging bait within 25 feet of a steel trap is illegal. Powered foot snares are permissible if the maximum loop is 5.5 inches or less. Regardless of trap type, a metal tag including the trapper’s name and address or Conservation ID number must be affixed to each trap (Ala. Admin. Code r. 220-2-.30).

When bobcats are in the area, they are easier to trap than coyotes or foxes. Finding a suitable area with a bobcat sign, however, can be difficult. Follow the same tips given above for hunting to locate trap sets. Number 2 and number 3 leg traps are the most suitable sizes for bobcats. For larger cats or for sets in wet or clay soil, a number 3 is preferable (figure 6).

Bobcats are listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). Harvested bobcats must be tagged by an Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries representative within 14 days of harvest or the animal can be left with a taxidermist accompanied by a completed tagging form. Only a licensed fur catcher can sell an untagged bobcat to an authorized fur dealer, and they must leave a signed and completed fur tag report with that dealer. Tags can be removed from bobcats after being processed, but the removed tag must stay with the specimen when returned to the owner. The tag may be discarded when the mount or pelt is destroyed.

Damage Prevention & Control Methods

Attacks on humans by bobcats are extremely rare and almost always involve a rabid individual. As with any mammal, a person should seek medical attention for any bobcat encounter involving a bite or scratch. Attacks on pets are more common but less likely than attacks by coyotes. Small dogs and domestic cats left outside overnight are especially vulnerable to attacks by bobcats. Bobcats can be important predators of backyard poultry and smaller hoofstock, including goats, sheep, and pigs. Damage prevention and control methods are discussed below to help lessen these negative interactions.

Nuisance Wildlife Professional. Removal by hunting or trapping is outlined above. Nuisance bobcats do not fall under the exception that allows for the taking of one individual per damage incident. Most will be hunted or trapped following the abovementioned regulations. Many nuisance bobcats, however, are found in residential areas, and the discharge of a firearm may be against the municipal code. Nuisance wildlife control operators may be hired to deal with bobcat issues. Check the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries website for a list of permitted operators. In addition, consider contacting individuals listed on the Alabama Trapper and Predator Control Association website. Removal is often unwarranted if a bobcat is present and not causing damage issues. Bobcats are highly territorial, and if one is present and not a nuisance, removing it may allow another individual who is much more prone to nuisance behavior to establish a territory. Instead of removal as a first approach, consider the other techniques discussed below.

Habitat Modification. Clearing brush can make areas less hospitable for bobcats. Remember that a bobcat’s favorite food is rabbits. Habitats that support high numbers of rabbits may attract bobcats. They also prey on birds, so concentrating many birds in one place could attract them. Consider temporarily removing bird feeders if a bobcat is sighted nearby. In addition, do not feed wildlife.

Exclusion. Bobcats are excellent climbers and can jump fences 6 or more feet high. Woven-wire enclosures are most effective at deterring bobcat predation on poultry and small livestock. A fully enclosed pen is best, particularly if the sides are not more than 6 feet high.

Frightening. Many different frightening devices can work to scare bobcats. Motion-activated sprinklers and floodlights can deter bobcats and do not require constant monitoring. Harassment of bobcats should occur whenever one is sighted and can include spraying it with a hose, throwing rocks or other objects toward but but not directly at it, banging pots and pans, or yelling. Continued and consistent harassment may make them move away from the area.

Repellents and Toxicants. No repellents or toxicants are currently listed for bobcat control, and none are recommended.

Translocation and Relocation. As bobcats are classified as game animals, it is illegal to translocate or relocate individuals without a permit from ADCNR.

Conclusion

Bobcats are here to stay, and the chance of encountering one in the wild continues to rise. Understanding that they present little threat to people and that the techniques to prevent damage or injury to your property, pets, and livestock can help make these encounters enjoyable rather than alarming or scary. And remember— if you see a black cat bigger than a house cat outside, it is a bobcat, not a cougar.

 

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Makayla Gothard, Wildlife Ecology and Management Undergraduate Student, and Wesley Anderson, Extension Specialist, Assistant Professor, both in Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment, Auburn University

New October 2024, Living with Bobcats, FOR-2166