The Bobcat and the Mountain Lion are often confused because both wild cats inhabit vast regions across North America. Although they belong to the same biological family, Felidae, their similarities end there. Understanding the differences between these two powerful predators requires looking closely at their scientific classification, physical traits, and environmental interactions.
The Simple Answer: Distinct Species
The Bobcat and the Mountain Lion are not the same animal; they are separated by millions of years of evolution and belong to entirely different scientific genera. The Mountain Lion, also known as the cougar or puma, is classified as Puma concolor and belongs to the genus Puma.
The Bobcat (Lynx rufus) belongs to the genus Lynx, making it a true lynx closely related to the Canada Lynx and the Eurasian Lynx. Though both are members of the Felidae family, their separation at the genus level means they are no more closely related than a house cat is to a jaguar.
Key Physical Differences and Identification
The most immediate difference between the two species is size. An adult male Mountain Lion often weighs between 110 and 220 pounds and reaches up to eight feet in total length. In comparison, the Bobcat is a medium-sized cat, with males typically weighing only 14 to 40 pounds and measuring between 32 and 49 inches long.
The tails provide the most reliable visual identifier. The Mountain Lion possesses a long, heavy, rope-like tail that accounts for about one-third of its total body length and is tipped with black. Conversely, the Bobcat is named for its distinctive short, or “bobbed,” tail, which is typically only four to eight inches long.
Their heads and coats also show clear distinctions. The Bobcat features prominent facial ruffs and characteristic black tufts of hair on its pointed ears. The Mountain Lion’s ears are rounded and lack these tufts. While Bobcat coats are generally spotted or striped brownish-gray, the Mountain Lion’s coat is uniformly tawny or tan, reflecting its scientific name, Puma concolor (cat of one color).
Habitat, Behavior, and Range Comparison
The Mountain Lion claims the most extensive range of any terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere, stretching from the Canadian Yukon down to the Strait of Magellan in South America. This wide distribution allows it to thrive in diverse habitats including mountainous areas, deserts, forests, and swamps. The Bobcat’s range is also broad, covering southern Canada, the contiguous United States, and Mexico, but it is restricted to North America.
Both cats are solitary and utilize ambush hunting techniques, but their prey preferences reflect their size difference. The Mountain Lion is an apex predator that focuses on large ungulates such as deer and elk, which constitute the bulk of its diet. A Mountain Lion will often cache its large kills to feed on them over several days.
The Bobcat, being much smaller, primarily hunts small mammals like rabbits, hares, and rodents. Although they will occasionally take down a small deer, their hunting strategy is geared toward quick, pouncing strikes on smaller, more common animals. The Bobcat demonstrates a greater tolerance for human development, often utilizing brushy lowlands, rocky ledges, and the edges of suburban areas for cover.