There are two types of big cats in Florida: the bobcat and the panther. The smaller of the two is the bobcat, so it’s easy to tell them apart. Additionally, bobcats in Florida are more abundant than panthers, so sightings of them are more frequent. Furthermore, they have the highest population of any other wildcat species in the USA. Other names for these cats are wildcat and Florida lynx. Females have territories that cover around six square miles of rural or urban areas. But, males have a much larger territory of approximately 30 square miles. While most big cat species that occur in suburban areas are significant pests, the bobcat doesn’t cause much damage but can dig holes in and around properties.
About Bobcats in Florida
The Florida bobcat (Felida rufus Floridanus) is easily identified by its namesake, its short tail, and tufts of fur on the sides of its face. Furthermore, they typically weigh between 13 and 30 pounds, and their tails have black markings on the top and white underneath. Florida bobcats range in color from gray to reddish-brown and are covered in white spots. Adult bobcats can reach 50 inches in length and grow to 21 inches tall. Their maximum weight is approximately 35 pounds. Therefore, people often mistake them for young Florida panthers because they are similar in size. The panther and bobcat can coexist in the same area because their diets differ.
lifespan of a Bobcat
The average lifespan of a Florida bobcat is approximately 14 years in the wild and 18 years in captivity. These wildcats live in dens, primarily caves, rock croppings, hollow trees, or other open shelters. However, these cats are always prepared, as they can have multiple homes; they build spare dens throughout their territory if the need for shelter arises while patrolling. These bobcats are incredibly adaptable and can survive in various habitats, including urban gardens and even the streets of cities, late at night when they are not so busy. However, they are very wary of humans unless people offer them food. Florida bobcats don’t have any predators as they can swim and climb, making them hard to catch. However, they can fall victim to humans who hunt them or kill them for trespassing. Therefore, their population numbers in Florida are stable and not threatened or endangered. The male bobcat has a large territory, often overlapping several females’ territories, which is convenient for mating. Females have a gestation period of 50 to 60 days, and they generally have litters of one to two kittens.
Where Do Bobcats Live in Florida?
Bobcats in Florida are solitary and very territorial. For example, same-sex bobcats will never share a home range unless it’s a mother and her kittens. However, some territories may overlap with same-sex neighbors. Furthermore, females will allow males to wander through their territories; the same goes for males with females. Their structure of living is basically the same as humans who own and occupy homes. Their habitats include swamps, forests, and hammock land. In addition, Florida’s dense shrub thickets and patches of saw palmetto provide perfect den sites.
These wild cats have territories of around 6 to 30 square miles and will patrol them slowly and carefully. Their ranges are oval-shaped, as the borders often follow streams, roads, or natural contours. Furthermore, their territory sizes do change depending on the season. For example, males tend to expand their borders to find a mate during the breeding season. Additionally, females will often patrol a smaller area when they have kittens to look after.
How Many Bobcats Are in Florida?
There was a time when bobcats occurred all over North America, from Mexico all the way to Canada. However, bobcat numbers decreased in several eastern and Midwestern states in the 1900s because they were hunted for their fur. But in the 1970s, a law was passed to protect these wildcats, increasing their population numbers. Currently, there are around 725,000 to 1,020,000 bobcats in the wild, with 300,000 in Florida alone. Therefore, they are not listed as threatened or endangered. But unfortunately, they are classified as fur-bearing game, which means people can still hunt them during certain months of the year.
Diet: What Do Bobcats Eat?
Bobcats are not fussy eaters, meaning they have a wide variety in their diets, which includes birds, carrion, and small rodents. They are primarily nocturnal animals, but they do sometimes hunt during the day when necessary. Therefore, during Florida’s summer months, these bobcats will mainly feed on local animals like rabbits, opossums, squirrels, and raccoons. However, in winter, they focus on migrating birds that fly through the Sunshine states that are escaping the cold in the North.
What Attracts Bobcats to Your Home?
When people live in areas with a lot of larger predators, there is always a risk these stealthy hunters might prey on their pets. However, bobcats usually pose no threat to your furry friends. Research has shown that bobcats do not include pets
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