Bobcats are medium-sized wild cats inhabiting a vast range across North America, from southern Canada through most of the contiguous United States to Mexico. These adaptable predators occupy diverse habitats, including forests, swamps, and deserts. Understanding the physical dimensions of the bobcat offers insight into this elusive animal’s place within its ecosystem.
Key Physical Dimensions
Adult male bobcats weigh between 14 and 40 pounds, with an average weight around 21 pounds. Females are smaller, ranging from 8.8 to 33.7 pounds, with an average of 15 pounds. The largest recorded bobcat weighed 49 pounds. This weight is supported by a muscular, agile build, contributing to their appearance of being larger than their actual mass.
From head to the base of their tail, bobcats measure approximately 18.7 to 49.2 inches long, averaging about 32.6 inches. Their short tail, which gives the species its name, ranges from 3.5 to 7.9 inches in length. At the shoulder, an adult bobcat stands between 12 and 24 inches tall. Bobcats possess relatively long legs and large paws for their size.
Factors Influencing Size
A bobcat’s size can vary depending on several environmental and biological factors. Males are consistently larger and heavier than females, a phenomenon known as sexual dimorphism.
Geographic location also plays a role in bobcat size. Bobcats in northern parts of their range, such as Canada and the northern United States, are larger than those in southern regions like Mexico and the southern U.S., a pattern often seen in colder climates. Prey availability also influences growth; well-fed individuals in areas with abundant food resources may achieve larger sizes.
Comparing Bobcats to Similar Felines
Bobcats are larger than an average domestic house cat. While a domestic cat might weigh 7 to 15 pounds, a bobcat can be two to three times that size. Bobcats also possess longer legs and a more muscular build.
When compared to the Canada lynx, bobcats are similar in weight, with lynx weighing between 10 and 38 pounds. However, lynx often appear rangier due to their longer legs, larger paws adapted for snow, and more prominent ear tufts. The bobcat’s tail is black on top and whitish underneath, while the lynx’s tail tip is entirely black.
Cougars, also known as mountain lions, are much larger than bobcats. Cougars can weigh between 70 and 220 pounds, far exceeding the bobcat’s maximum weight. Cougars also have long tails, unlike the bobcat’s short, bobbed tail.