Animals Mammals

Bobcat

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Lynx rufus

PROFILE:

This North American cat is named for its short tail! As with many felids, bobcats are generally solitary animals that have excellent vision, hearing, and a well-developed sense of smell. They are also mainly terrestrial, nocturnal, and carnivorous. Found on Zoo grounds, our bobcat now serves as a representative of our local species.

TYPE OF ANIMAL:

mammal, carnivore, feline (cats)

NATIVE TO:

Throughout North America from southern Canada to southern Mexico

IUCN CONSERVATION STATUS:

least concern

DIET:

carnivore

LIFESPAN:

zoos - up to 32 years

SOCIAL STATUS:

territorial and solitary