Mountain Lion vs Bobcat: Who Would Win in a Fight?

Quick Take

• One key factor creates a dead heat between these two mismatched cats, and it is not the one you would expect. See the speed tie →
• The bobcat actually has one narrow path to victory, though taking it requires pulling off something almost no predator can manage. See the bobcat's only chance →
• Despite a massive size gap, two of the six head-to-head categories end in a tie, and one of those results is genuinely hard to predict. See the tied categories →
• The bobcat carries a defensive weapon that can frighten even humans, and this raises the question of whether it works on a mountain lion. See the bobcat's scream →

The mountain lion (Puma concolor), also known as a cougar, is a fierce member of the Felidae subfamily. These large cats live throughout the Americas, where they are apex predators in most environments. The wily bobcat (Lynx rufus), sometimes called a lynx, is another member of the Felidae family that hunts throughout North America. Since these two tough cats live in the same part of the world, it’s only a matter of time before they have a showdown. So, who wins in a fight between a bobcat and a mountain lion?

The outcome of a fight between a bobcat and a mountain lion will be determined by their physical features and fighting abilities. Several key factors will affect the outcome if these large cats were to battle. Continue reading to discover which one of these fierce wildcats will win the battle.

Mountain Lion vs. Bobcat: Size

A mountain lion stands 3 feet tall, measures 8 feet long, and can weigh up to 130 pounds. A bobcat weighs just over 30 pounds, stands 2 feet tall, and measures 3.5 feet in length.

A mountain lion is three to four times heavier than a bobcat, making it nearly impossible for the smaller cat to pose a serious threat.

Size Advantage: Mountain lion  

Mountain Lion vs. Bobcat: Speed and Movement

A mountain lion runs a respectable 30 miles per hour (mph), but a bobcat can run at speeds up to 30 mph, as well.

Speed Advantage: Tie

Mountain Lion vs. Bobcat: Bite Force and Teeth

Bobcats and mountain lions hunt and kill with their teeth. A bobcat’s bite force is estimated between 98 and 184 Newtons, while a mountain lion’s bite force is typically reported between 497 and 681 Newtons, with some estimates as high as 1311 Newtons.

Both have large canines designed to break bones and tear flesh, but the mountain lion has the more powerful bite.

Bite Force Advantage: Mountain lion

Mountain Lion vs. Bobcat: Defenses

The mountain lion is a large, stealthy creature that is hard to spot, and even then, most other animals will actively avoid them because of the danger they pose. Bobcats are not as large, but they have impressive speed and a terrifying scream that can scare off many potential predators, including humans.

Defensive Advantage: Tie

Mountain Lion vs. Bobcat: Offensive Capabilities

The bobcat has a very powerful bite for its small size, and it has razor-sharp, retractable claws for climbing and fighting. The mountain lion relies primarily on its powerful bite, but it is highly effective. The mountain lion prefers to use its substantial bite and sharp teeth to break bones, rarely using its long claws to kill prey.

Offensive Advantage: Tie

Mountain Lion vs. Bobcat: Predatory Behaviors

The mountain lion and the bobcat use very similar hunting methods. They stalk their prey and attack with a single bite to disable it, before delivering several more bites to kill it.

Predatory Advantage: Tie

Who Would Win in a Fight Between Mountain Lion and Bobcat?

In a fight between a mountain lion and a bobcat, the mountain lion would win. Bobcats are known for taking down prey larger than themselves, such as young deer, but the mountain lion is just too much larger and stronger. The fight would probably play out with one of the creatures stalking the other.

Even in the best-case scenario, if the bobcat were able to ambush the mountain lion and pounces on it, its bite force is not enough to kill the mountain lion instantly, which would be the only way a bobcat could win.

Once the stealth portion of the fight ends, it becomes a battle of size, power, and speed. The bobcat might be slightly faster, but not fast enough to evade the massive mountain lion forever. As soon as the mountain lion gets its claws, paws, or mouth on the bobcat, the fight is over.