Photo by Rich Freitag

Scientific Name: Lynx Rufus

Named for its short "bobbed" tail, the bobcat is the most widely distributed native cat in North America.

• Size: Weight: 9 to 33 pounds; Shoulder height: 18 to 23 inches; Length: 24 to 42 inches
• Diet: Carnivores, rabbits and hares make up most of their diet
• Habitat: Many habitats from dessert to swamp to mountain
• Range in the Wild: North America from Southern Canada to Southern Mexico

Conservation Status

There are almost one million bobcats living in the US. In some areas they are rare, hence they are protected in some states.

Learn more about this animal.