Species · GBIF taxon 6164663
Pacific Bobcat
Lynx rufus fasciatusAlso 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
Licensed referenceMarlin Harms / CC BY 2.0 · CC BY 2.0
- diet
- Carnivorous, feeding on rabbits, rodents, birds, and occasionally deer
- family
- Felidae
- threats
- Habitat fragmentation, rodenticide poisoning, and vehicle collisions
- life Span
- 10 to 12 years in the wild
LC
Avoid cornering or approaching; they can deliver a powerful defensive bite or scratch if threatened.
Equipped with sharp claws and powerful jaws, they will defend themselves aggressively if cornered, trapped, or protecting their young.
Never attempt to corner, feed, or handle a wild cat; back away slowly and give it an escape route.- 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.