Cute Bobcat in the tree hole
The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a North American mammal of the cat family
Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years
ago (AEO). With 12 recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to
northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States.
The bobcat is
an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semidesert, urban
edge, forest edges, and swampland environments. It persists in much of its
original range, and populations are healthy.
With a gray to brown coat, whiskered face, and black-tufted ears, the
bobcat resembles the other species of the mid-sized Lynx genus. It is smaller
on average than the Canada lynx, with which it shares parts of its range, but
is about twice as large as the domestic cat. It has distinctive black bars on
its forelegs and a black-tipped, stubby tail, from which it derives its name.
Though the bobcat prefers rabbits and hares, it will hunt anything from
insects, chickens, and small rodents to deer. Prey selection depends on
location and habitat, season, and abundance. Like most cats, the bobcat is
territorial and largely solitary, although with some overlap in home ranges. It
uses several methods to mark its territorial boundaries, including claw marks
and deposits of urine or feces. The bobcat breeds from winter into spring and
has a gestation period of about two months.
Although bobcats have been hunted extensively by humans, both for sport
and fur, their population has proven resilient. The elusive predator features
in Native American mythology and the folklore of European settlers.
0 comments:
Post a Comment