Are There Bobcats in Montana?
Bobcats are present in Montana, thriving as a native and widespread species across the state’s diverse landscapes. Montana maintains a healthy and growing bobcat population. These adaptable wild cats are commonly observed throughout various regions.
Montana’s Bobcat Habitats
Bobcats in Montana utilize a wide array of environments, demonstrating their adaptability to different terrains. They are found in dense forests, mountainous areas, and even semi-arid regions. These felines often prefer areas that provide dense cover, beneficial for hunting and establishing dens.
In central Montana, bobcats frequently inhabit covered areas with high prey densities. In western Montana, they commonly establish dens within caves, between large boulders, in hollow logs, or in abandoned mine shafts. They also favor rimrock and grassland-shrubland areas, particularly those with dense understory vegetation.
Characteristics and Behavior
Bobcats are roughly twice the size of a domestic cat, typically weighing between 15 to 35 pounds and measuring 28 to 37 inches in total length. Their coloration varies, ranging from light gray to yellowish-brown, buff, brown, or reddish-brown, often with distinctive black or dark brown spots on their underparts and inner legs. A defining feature is their short, “bobbed” tail, which is black only on the upper portion of the tip, distinguishing them from other cat species. Their ears feature a short tuft of black hair and a prominent white spot on the black dorsal surface.
These felines are primarily carnivores, with their diet consisting largely of snowshoe hares and jackrabbits, which can make up 75 to 90 percent of their food intake. They also prey on medium-sized rodents, birds, and occasionally larger animals like deer, particularly during winter when other prey is scarce. Bobcats are solitary and largely nocturnal, though they can be active during other times of the day. Their stealthy hunting techniques and keen senses of vision and hearing make them difficult to observe in the wild.
Coexisting with Bobcats
Montana’s bobcat population is considered stable and healthy, allowing for regulated hunting and trapping seasons in the state. These animals play a role as top predators within their ecosystems, helping to manage populations of small mammals like rabbits and rodents. While bobcats generally avoid human interaction due to their timid nature, they can occasionally be found near human settlements if food sources are present.
To coexist safely with bobcats, it is advisable to secure potential food attractants around properties. This includes never leaving pet food outdoors and securing garbage cans with tight lids. Protecting livestock, especially smaller animals like chickens or rabbits, requires sturdy enclosures made with heavy, welded wire and potentially electric fencing. Keeping pets indoors, especially small cats and dogs, or supervising them closely when outside, can also reduce potential encounters. If a bobcat is sighted nearby, it is important to maintain a safe distance and never approach the animal; making loud noises can encourage it to leave.