Fauna
Mammal

Pacific Bobcat

Lynx rufus fasciatus

Also known as Bay Lynx, Red Lynx, Wildcat

Pacific bobcats slip silently through the dense, moss-draped forests of the Pacific Northwest, distinguished by their rich, reddish-brown coats and heavy dark spotting. These solitary predators are masters of stealth, using their keen vision and hearing to stalk prey along game trails and forest edges. They maintain large home territories, marking their boundaries with scent and claw scrapes on tree trunks.

CrepuscularSolitaryCarnivore
Pacific Bobcat reference1 / 7
Marlin Harms / CC BY 2.0 · CC BY 2.0
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySnowshoe Hares, Brush Rabbits, Deer Mice
Predators
  • Cougars
  • Coyotes
  • Gray Wolves
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, rodenticide poisoning, and vehicle collisions
HabitatsTemperate rainforests, coastal woodlands, brushlands, and mountain forests
Life span10 to 12 years in the wild
Classification
  1. FamilyFelidae
  2. SpeciesLynx rufus fasciatus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Avoid cornering or approaching; they can deliver a powerful defensive bite or scratch if threatened.
Why it is dangerous
Equipped with sharp claws and powerful jaws, they will defend themselves aggressively if cornered, trapped, or protecting their young.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a medium-sized cat with tufted ears, a short bobbed tail, and a spotted reddish-brown coat.
What to do
Never attempt to corner, feed, or handle a wild cat; back away slowly and give it an escape route.
Responsible observation
  • Look for Tracks: Search for round, four-toed paw prints without claw marks in soft mud or snow.
  • Keep Distance: Give these wild cats plenty of space to prevent triggering a defensive or fearful reaction.
  • Secure Attractants: Keep pet food indoors and secure small livestock to avoid attracting them to residential areas.
Related species
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