Bobcats are found throughout Florida, a common yet often unseen part of the state’s diverse wildlife. These adaptable felines thrive in various environments, from deep forests to human-modified areas, showcasing their resilience.
Presence and Distribution in Florida
Bobcats are present in all 67 Florida counties, though they have not been observed in the Florida Keys for several decades. These wild cats are habitat generalists, utilizing almost all available habitats, including deep forests, swamps, hammock lands, and urban or agricultural areas. Their adaptability allows them to persist even in fragmented landscapes, setting them apart from larger feline species like the Florida panther. While rapid development may impact populations, their ability to adapt helps them maintain a significant presence.
Identifying Florida Bobcats
Florida bobcats have distinct physical characteristics. They are medium-sized cats, larger than a domestic house cat but smaller than a Florida panther. Adults weigh between 12 and 35 pounds and can reach up to 21 inches tall and 50 inches long. A key identifying feature is their namesake: a short, “bobbed” tail, usually less than six inches, which may have a white underside with a black top.
Their fur coloring varies from tan to yellowish-brown or reddish-brown, often with dark brown or black streaks and spots for camouflage. The underside of their body is typically white with black spots, and their inner legs often have black bar markings. Bobcats also have pointed, triangular ears with short black tufts and white markings on the back, along with patches of long fur on the sides of their heads resembling sideburns.
Behavior and Habitat
Florida bobcats are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, most active during dawn, dusk, and throughout the night. However, it is not uncommon to observe them during the day, as they sleep for short periods, typically two to three hours at a time. These cats are solitary, with males and females only coming together for breeding, which occurs from August to March in Florida, peaking in February and March.
Their diet primarily consists of small mammals like rabbits, rodents, squirrels, raccoons, and opossums. As opportunistic carnivores, they also consume birds, reptiles, and occasionally larger prey such as small deer or feral hogs. Bobcats are skilled hunters, using keen sight and hearing, and will climb trees or swim in search of food. They establish territories; males typically have larger home ranges (up to 30 square miles) that may overlap with females, while female territories are generally smaller and exclusive. They often utilize dense vegetation, hollow logs, or rock formations for cover, den sites, and hunting.
Living Alongside Bobcats
Bobcats are generally shy and elusive, posing little threat to humans. Encounters are rare, partly because they tend to avoid human contact. To coexist safely, especially in suburban areas, homeowners can take several measures. Securing trash cans and avoiding leaving pet food or birdseed outdoors prevents attracting bobcats and their prey.
Keeping pets indoors or supervising them outside, particularly at night, is advisable. Small livestock like chickens should be housed in secure, enclosed structures. If a bobcat is seen nearby, making loud noises or waving arms can help deter it. Bobcats are a native Florida species and are not listed as threatened or endangered. Their populations are monitored and managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which includes regulating a legal hunting season.