Are Bobcats Endangered?

Quick Answer:

• No, bobcats are not endangered. They are listed as “least concern” by the IUCN.
• Their population is stable at 1 million, though their numbers are declining in some states and countries.

It’s tempting to want to hug and grab a wild bobcat, but these adorable felines are still ferocious predators. Bobcats are native to North America but are rarely seen as they like to stay hidden from human traffic. While they look a lot like domestic cats, bobcats are larger, typically reaching 41 inches long and up to 30 pounds. They aren’t afraid to leap high and take down larger prey like young deer.

But are they endangered? Are they protected anywhere in the world? Keep reading to discover if bobcats are endangered and where they are protected.

Are Bobcats Endangered?

The short answer to this question is no. They are not listed as endangered but as “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). There are at least one million bobcats in the world. Their population is stable overall but declining in some states and countries. You can hunt bobcats anywhere in the U.S, Canada, and Mexico. Historically, indigenous people in North America hunted bobcats for their warm fur and meat. Rarely do hunters kill for meat now, but for sport or the animal’s unique spotted coat.

Do Bobcats have Predators?

While bobcats are predators, they are also prey. Humans are the most common predators. They actively hunt bobcats in the woods where it’s allowed. Other than humans, larger animals like mountain lions and cougars also hunt bobcats. However, they aren’t always successful since bobcats jump high, up to 12 feet, when running. They are also great hiders and can camouflage into rocky and wooded areas. Baby bobcats, also known as kittens, are especially at risk. Smaller animals like owls, hawks, wolves, and foxes hunt for vulnerable kittens. Bobcats are also predators and natural-born hunters with a diet consisting of goats, sheep, dogs, feral cats, and rodents.

Where are Bobcats Endangered?

Technically, bobcats are not endangered, but they are protected in 10 states in the U.S. It’s considered endangered in Ohio, New Jersey, and Indiana. In New Jersey, experts estimate there are between 250 to 280 wild bobcats left. At one point, the Mexican bobcat was endangered, but their status was changed in 2005. The overall bobcat population is declining but still considered healthy and stable. While the Florida bobcat population has been declining because of invasive pythons, they are not endangered. Sightings have decreased, especially in the keys. Even with their decreasing population, they have been spotted in all 67 counties in Florida. Since they are hard to spot, there isn’t an accurate estimate.

Why are Bobcats Endangered in Some Places?

Why are some places in the U.S seeing a decline in their bobcat population? The biggest factor is humans and deforestation. Bobcats live deep in forests, mash, and wooded areas. They like to live far away from humans. It’s rare to see them in their natural habitat. However, you can see bobcats during the winter when high snow forces them to look for warm shelter and food.

Bobcat populations are declining because of overhunting. This is why in most states, hunting is strictly regulated and limited. However, as our population increases and businesses grow and destroy forests and marshes, bobcats are displaced from their homes. Sadly, most juvenile bobcats don’t live until adulthood because of food scarcity issues. This is common when their habitats are destroyed. Young bobcats hunt for rats, birds, rabbits, and squirrels after they are weaned from their mother’s milk.

How Do Bobcats Defend Themselves?

Although bobcats look a lot like our cute and cuddly pets, they are wild animals that know how to protect themselves. Bobcats have long and sharp retractable claws they use to slice away at unlucky prey and predators. They protect their razor-sharp claws by retracting them inside of their soft paws. These big cats also have 28 teeth including four canines they use to shred raw and tough meat.

Bobcats are also territorial. They know when to run away, but they also defend their home and kittens. When defending themselves from unsuspecting predators, they pounce quickly or chase them by running quickly in short bursts. These animals use their excellent sight and hearing to stalk their prey or predators. They have a strong bite force. In fact, their bite is stronger than the bite of most wolves! Their average bite force is around 548 newtons.

Up Next:

• Are Mountain Lions Endangered?
• The 10 Most Endangered Species on Earth – And How to Help
• 5 Extinct Types of Spiders – And 3 Critically Endangered Spiders that Need Help Today

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Becker1999 (Paul and Cathy), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons – License / Original