Bobcats, a native North American wild cat, are present in Ohio. Their re-established populations across the state are a testament to successful wildlife recovery efforts, leading to increased sightings in recent years.
The Return of Bobcats to Ohio
Bobcats were once common throughout Ohio, but by the mid-1800s, they were extirpated from the state. This was primarily due to extensive habitat loss from land clearing for agriculture and unregulated hunting practices.
Their natural recolonization began in the mid-1900s, with sightings becoming more frequent in the early 2000s. This gradual return highlights the impact of conservation efforts, including the conversion of former farmland back into forests. Bobcats are now protected under Ohio law, preventing hunting or trapping. Their re-establishment in Ohio is a wildlife success story, demonstrating the positive outcomes of habitat restoration and legal protection.
Where Bobcats Live in Ohio
Bobcats are now found across Ohio, with confirmed sightings in 81 of the state’s 88 counties between 1970 and 2021. They are most commonly found in the southeastern and southern parts of the state, where populations are well-established. These regions offer suitable habitat with high forest cover and natural open areas.
Bobcats prefer habitats with dense ground vegetation or rocky outcrops, which provide cover for hunting, resting, and denning. They can utilize human-altered landscapes in rural and suburban areas but generally avoid intensely agricultural or highly developed areas. While their core populations remain in the forested southeast, dispersal corridors, including river valleys, allow them to expand into moderately suitable areas in northeast and southwest Ohio.
Identifying Bobcats and Their Habits
Bobcats possess distinct physical characteristics. They are similar in size to a medium-sized dog, typically weighing 9 to 33 pounds and standing 1.5 to 2 feet tall at the shoulder. Their fur color varies from light gray to yellowish-brown, buff, or reddish-brown, often marked with spots or stripes on their legs and chest. A defining feature is their short, “bobbed” tail, 4 to 7 inches long, with a black tip on top and white underneath. They also have facial ruffs and pointed ears that may have small tufts of hair.
Bobcats can be differentiated from domestic cats by their larger size and more robust build. Unlike most domestic cats, bobcat tracks typically lack claw marks and are larger, about 2 inches in diameter. Bobcats are primarily nocturnal and solitary, most active during dawn and dusk. They hunt small mammals like rabbits, hares, and rodents, but also consume birds, deer, and insects.
Coexisting with Ohio’s Bobcats
Bobcats are generally shy and reclusive, posing little threat to humans or pets. They typically avoid human activity and are rarely seen. If a bobcat is sighted, observe it from a distance and avoid approaching.
To minimize potential conflicts, secure pet food, garbage, and small livestock, as bobcats are opportunistic predators. While rare, unattended small pets could be vulnerable, so secure them, especially at night. Reporting bobcat sightings to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) helps wildlife biologists track their population and distribution.