The wildlife world is fantastic, and we must ensure it thrives and is protected. Many have wildlife that visits their yards. Seeing a lynx or bobcat in your yard is a real treat as long as they aren’t hauling off a pet. They may look like a big, domesticated cat but are far from it and can be dangerous if cornered or scared. Can you tell a lynx from a bobcat? There are a few small differences that will help you correctly identify them.
Bobcats vs. Lynx
Not many people know the differences between the lynx and bobcat; many may believe them to be the same species and animal. However, this is incorrect. If you happen to fall into this category, no worries; we are about to unveil what makes the lynx and bobcat different.
Meet the Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
Bobcats are found throughout North America, from Mexico to the southernmost parts of Canada and all areas in between. They can also sometimes be found in suburban areas. They are incredibly illusive and rarely seen. Their coloring camouflages them perfectly in just about any background. These medium-sized cats play an important role in the food chain by keeping the numbers of rodents and small mammals down. It is crucial that they are not overhunted, as this would throw the entire food chain out of whack.
These secretive cats can live up to 12 years in the wild and 20 years in captivity. They are twice the size of a housecat and can even run up to 30 miles per hour. They can leap up to 12 feet and are also good swimmers. They are bird-eating cats because their tails are short, which allows them to weave more cautiously through brush hunting. During the day, they sleep in tree hollows, hollowed-out logs, rocky dens, and many other covered dens. Bobcats do not climb trees often.
The bobcat is a beautiful 24 – 40 inches long animal, with another 8 inches for the tail added on and standing roughly 20 inches tall at the shoulders. The beautiful coat of the feline is sought after in the fur trade, and they are hunted within a season. Bobcats have coarse, pale beige/brown fur with reddish/black colored spots all over, though they are most apparent on their legs. Their undersides are white or cream-colored and may also contain some spots. On their rounded ears, they may have tiny black tufts at the top and a white spot on the back of the ear.
Bobcat kittens look very similar to housecat kittens, and many people are confused by this yearly. Wildlife rescues report taking in many bobcat kittens once they reach a size that is apparently no longer in housecat territory. They do have a lot in common with housecats. They are both nocturnal, use their whiskers as feelers, and even purr like domesticated cats.
Meet the Lynx
The lynx family comprises four species: the Canada lynx, the Iberian lynx, the Eurasian lynx, and the bobcat. The smallest is the bobcat, followed by the Canada lynx. The largest lynx is the Eurasian lynx. Let’s look at the difference between the three named lynx now that we understand what makes up a bobcat.
The Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis)
The Canada lynx prefers the cold climates of the Canadian and Alaskan forests and tundra. These medium-sized cats have dense coats and feet covered in fur, making them look as if they are wearing furry boots and dressed to play in the snow, which they are. They are 35 inches long, 19 – 22 inches tall, and weigh 18 – 31 pounds.
The Canada lynx plays an important part in the tundra ecosystem because it feeds almost exclusively on snowshoe hares but sometimes also hunts small mammals and birds. These big cats are rarely seen in the U.S. and are listed as a threatened species. In 2010, the Canada lynx was finally reestablished in Colorado after being killed off decades before. The fur of the Canada lynx is sought after for its density and softness.
The Eurasian Lynx
The Eurasian lynx is the biggest, measuring 32 – 51 inches and standing 27 inches tall on average. Since females are much smaller, they weigh 40 – 60 pounds, depending on sex. Similar to the others, the Eurasian lynx has dense fur and spots. It can be found in Central Asian, European, and Siberian forests in the deep snow or tucked away in the woodlands. These beautiful cats’ numbers declined in Europe but are now returning to where they should be.
The Eurasian lynx has two different outfits for warm or frigid weather. In the summer, it has a short reddish-brown coat, but in the winter, it trades it in for a much thicker silvery, greyish-brown coat.
The Iberian Lynx
These lovely cats are native to the Iberian peninsula in southern Europe. Though conservation efforts have brought the species from critically endangered to threatened over the years, there is still concern, as it remains one of the most endangered cat species in the world. The Iberian lynx can reach lengths of 43 inches and heights of 28 inches. Depending on sex, they weigh 20 – 28 pounds.
Closing Thoughts On the Bobcat and Lynx
The long and short of it is that there isn’t much of a difference between a lynx and a bobcat, except the location they are native to. There is very little crossover from each species’ native lands, so it is not common for a lynx and bobcat to exist in the same area. Depending on what part of the world you are in, you just might get lucky enough to spot one of these shy cats in the wild.
