The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a medium-sized North American feline that occupies a vast range from southern Canada down to Mexico. It is a solitary predator recognized by its tufted ears and short tail. Understanding the size of this cat requires a look at specific measurements across its population, including its average weight, total body length, and standing height.
Average Body Mass and Weight Range
The body mass of an adult bobcat shows a significant difference between the sexes, a trait known as sexual dimorphism. Adult males are noticeably heavier, generally ranging from 6.4 to 18.3 kilograms (14 to 40 pounds), with a species-wide average weight around 9.6 kilograms (21 pounds). Females, by contrast, tend to be smaller and lighter, with their weight typically falling between 4 and 15.3 kilograms (8.8 and 33.7 pounds). The average mass for an adult female bobcat is approximately 6.8 kilograms (15 pounds), making her roughly two-thirds the weight of an average male.
The overall weight range for the species is broad. A bobcat’s mass can nearly triple from the low end of the female range to the upper end of the male range, especially in northern populations. The largest bobcat accurately measured weighed 22.2 kilograms (49 pounds), though unverified reports occasionally suggest weights up to 27 kilograms (60 pounds). This variation highlights that the substantial mass difference between individuals is a defining feature.
Total Body Length and Height at the Shoulder
The total body length of a bobcat is measured from the tip of the nose to the end of its short tail. An adult bobcat’s length typically measures between 47.5 and 125 centimeters (18.7 to 49.2 inches), with the average total length being about 82.7 centimeters (32.6 inches). The animal’s height is measured at the shoulder, or withers, where the bobcat generally stands 30 to 60 centimeters (12 to 24 inches) tall.
The bobcat’s namesake feature, its short, “bobbed” tail, is a distinct part of its total length measurement. This tail is significantly shorter than that of most other felines, measuring between 9 and 20 centimeters (3.5 to 7.9 inches) long. The tail’s characteristic appearance—black-tipped with a white underside—is a useful identifier.
Influence of Geography and Sex on Size
The wide ranges provided for bobcat measurements are driven by two primary biological and environmental factors. Sexual dimorphism means adult males are consistently larger than adult females across all measured metrics. This size difference is thought to be partly influenced by sexual selection, where larger males may have an advantage in competition for mates.
The second major influence is geographic location, which is consistent with an ecological principle known as Bergmann’s Rule. This rule suggests that individuals found in colder climates, typically at higher latitudes, will be larger and heavier than those in warmer regions. Bobcats demonstrate this pattern, with the largest-bodied individuals recorded in northern areas like eastern Canada and northern New England. Conversely, bobcats found in the warmest, southern parts of the range, tend to be at the smaller end of the spectrum.