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Bobcat

Lynx rufus

Description:

Female bobcats are about a third smaller than males. This one is a bit larger, undoubtedly due to her mixed breeding. She also has tufts on her ears, not seen in the bobcat in my other spotting. Bobcat dens are often hidden under trees, in hollow trees, thickets, or rocky crevices. Bobcats are territorial, with their home ranges reaching up to 3 square miles for females and 10 or more square miles for males. The females' home ranges do not overlap, but males' ranges may cover both other males and several females' ranges. They use urine, feces, anal gland secretions, scratches and scrapes (piles of dirt and debris marked with scent) to delineate their home ranges. The young first open their eyes when they are 10 days old and leave the den after about one month; they nurse for two to three months. Mothers bring meat to their young and teach them how to hunt after they are weaned. Males do not help raise the young. The young bobcats become independent when they are about 8 months old, although they may stay with their mother for up to a year.

Habitat:

With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States. Bobcats inhabit wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges, and swampland environments.

Notes:

Maggie is a 15-year old bobcat who came to Carolina Tiger Rescue recently from a private owner who was instructed by the North Carolina Wildlife Commission to find a new home for her with the proper permits. The owner claimed that she had some lynx genes but this was not confirmed with DNA testing.

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15 Comments

Maria dB
Maria dB 7 years ago

Thank you for the comment, Joseph. Unfortunately, she passed away but she lived a good life in the time that she was at the sanctuary.

Joseph R. Godreau
Joseph R. Godreau 7 years ago

Beautiful Cat!

Maria dB
Maria dB 11 years ago

Thanks for your nice comments, Azura, Dez, Mayra and Phil

Phil_S
Phil_S 11 years ago

Awesome series! Great work rescuing these cats too!

MayraSpringmann
MayraSpringmann 11 years ago

Fantastic!!!

Smith'sZoo
Smith'sZoo 11 years ago

Great series, and great job that you guys do there Maria! It is so good to know these big cats will be safe and happy till the end of their days! Thank you for the very informative blog of today!

Azura Firdaus W
Azura Firdaus W 11 years ago

beautiful! lynx

Maria dB
Maria dB 11 years ago

Thanks for your comments, geniuscgy and vicky1!

geniuscqy
geniuscqy 11 years ago

nice

Maria dB
Maria dB 11 years ago

Thanks, Karen and Mayra! She is indeed gorgeous

MayraSpringmann
MayraSpringmann 11 years ago

Beautiful!!

KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

How beautiful!

Maria dB
Maria dB 12 years ago

CTR provides public tours to see some of the animals that are not averse to seeing groups of people, so I guess the former owner could come to see her. CTR opposes private ownership of wild animals, especially exotic animals such as tigers, leopards, etc. The animals at CTR are indeed well care for; this is really necessary as some that arrive are in terrible condition after being rescued.

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 12 years ago

Does the owner get to visit her and stay in touch with her? She does look well cared for.

rutasandinas
rutasandinas 12 years ago

Fantástico minino wow

Maria dB
Spotted by
Maria dB

Pittsboro, North Carolina, United States

Spotted on Mar 23, 2012
Submitted on Mar 24, 2012

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