Bobcats, wild cats native to North America, are often elusive. Many perceive them as strictly nocturnal, operating solely under the cover of darkness. This raises questions about occasional daytime sightings and their true activity patterns.
Understanding Bobcat Activity
Bobcats are primarily crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk. This aligns with their prey, like rabbits and rodents, also active in low light. They typically move from a few hours before sunset until midnight, resuming activity before dawn until a few hours after sunrise. This maximizes hunting efficiency while avoiding peak human activity.
While crepuscular, bobcats also exhibit nocturnal tendencies, especially near human presence, adapting to avoid contact. They can travel several kilometers along habitual routes during active periods. This adaptability allows them to survive across diverse ecosystems, modifying behavior based on environmental factors.
Why Bobcats May Appear During the Day
Despite their usual crepuscular and nocturnal patterns, bobcats can be observed during daylight hours for several reasons. Food scarcity, for instance, may compel them to extend their hunting efforts into the day to find enough prey. During fall and winter, bobcats may become more diurnal, as their prey might be more active during the day in colder weather.
Mothers with young kittens may also increase daytime activity to secure sufficient food. Territorial behavior can lead to daytime sightings as bobcats patrol or defend home ranges. Human disturbance can also influence activity; some become nocturnal to avoid people, while others might be flushed from resting spots or have patterns altered by habitat changes, leading to daytime appearances. An injured or sick bobcat might also be less cautious and more visible during the day.
Coexisting with Bobcats
Encountering a bobcat, especially during the day, can be surprising, but safe coexistence is possible. Maintain a respectful distance; they are shy and prefer to avoid human interaction. Do not approach or feed them, as this can lead to habituation, where bobcats lose their natural fear.
To deter bobcats from your property, secure outdoor pet food and garbage, as these can attract wildlife. Keeping pets indoors or supervising them closely, especially during dawn and dusk, helps ensure their safety. If a bobcat approaches or seems overly bold, making loud noises, waving your arms to appear larger, or spraying water can scare it away. In rare instances where a bobcat appears sick, injured, or displays aggressive behavior, contact local wildlife authorities.