The Mighty
Bobcat
by
eth F.
eth F.
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The Bobcat's scientific name is Lynx rufus .Bobcats got their common name a very funny way. They got their name because of their short tails. The Bobcat's head and body length is 65 to 105 centimeters long. The length of their tail is only about 11to 19 centimeters long. The Bobcat's shoulder height is about 45 to 58 centimeters. The Bobcat's fur can be numerous shades of buff and brown with dark brown or black strips and spots on some of the body. Tips of the tail and backs of the ears are black. Bobcats have short ear tuffs and also ruffs of hair, giving the appearance of sideburns.
Bobcats are carnivorous cats and stealthy hunters. They stalk their prey, pounce if successful, and kill with a bite to the vertebrae of the neck. They hunt rodents, rabbits, small ungulates, big ground birds, and sometimes reptiles. Bobcats occasionally eat small domesticated animals and poultry.
Bobcats usually mate in early spring. After a gestation of about 60 to 70 days, a litter of about 3 kittens is born. They open their eyes when they are about 10 days old.
Bobcats live mostly in northern wooded areas.
Seth F., Grade 4, Bowdoin Central School