Many people encounter animals they mistake for bobcats, especially if the creature appears to have a long tail. This article clarifies what a bobcat looks like and helps distinguish it from common long-tailed animals often confused with them.
What a Bobcat Actually Looks Like
Bobcats are medium-sized wild cats, typically weighing 15 to 30 pounds and standing 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder. Their fur varies from tawny to grayish-brown, often with dark spots or streaks. A defining characteristic is their short, “bobbed” tail, usually 4 to 7 inches long, with a black tip on the top surface. They have moderately large ears, sometimes with small tufts, and prominent facial ruffs framing their faces.
The Primary Suspects: Long-Tailed Cats
The cougar, also known as a mountain lion or puma, is a large North American cat often confused with bobcats. Cougars are uniformly tan to reddish-brown, much larger than bobcats, weighing 100 to 200 pounds. Unlike the bobcat, the cougar has a long, thick tail up to three feet, used for balance.
Large domestic cats are also sometimes mistaken for bobcats, especially if stocky or patterned. Though smaller, a domestic cat seen from a distance can lead to misidentification. Domestic cats always have a long, flexible tail, distinguishing them from a bobcat’s short tail.
Other Animals Often Confused
Beyond felines, canids like coyotes and various fox species are sometimes mistaken for bobcats, especially from a distance or in poor light. Coyotes are slender, dog-like animals with grayish-brown fur, sometimes with a reddish tint. They have a long, bushy tail, 12 to 16 inches, that often hangs downwards.
Red foxes, with reddish-orange fur and bushy tails, can also cause confusion. Their tails are very long, often exceeding half their body length, and typically tipped with white. Gray foxes have a salt-and-pepper gray coat and a long, bushy tail, often with a black stripe along the top.
Detailed Identification Markers
Distinguishing a bobcat from these long-tailed look-alikes involves observing several key features, with the tail being the most immediate indicator. A bobcat’s tail is notably short, “bobbed,” measuring less than eight inches, often with a black marking only on the top side of the tip. In contrast, cougars have very long, muscular tails, often as long as their bodies, which they use for counterbalance.
When comparing size and build, bobcats are compact and muscular, typically standing about two feet tall at the shoulder. Cougars are significantly larger and more powerfully built, reaching heights of two to three feet and lengths of up to nine feet including their tail. Coyotes are leaner and more dog-like in build, standing about 20 to 26 inches tall. Foxes are generally smaller and more agile, usually under two feet tall at the shoulder.
Examining the head and ears also provides clear distinctions. Bobcats possess prominent ear tufts and facial ruffs framing their face. Cougars, on the other hand, have relatively small heads for their body size and lack ear tufts or facial ruffs. Coyotes and foxes both have pointed ears and elongated snouts characteristic of canids, differing significantly from the rounded, whiskered face of a bobcat.
Finally, fur patterns and coloration offer further clues. Bobcats typically display spotted or streaked patterns, especially on their undersides and legs. Cougars have a uniform, solid tan or reddish-brown coat without spots or stripes. Coyotes are generally mottled grayish-brown, while red foxes are known for their vibrant reddish-orange fur and gray foxes for their grizzled gray coat, both lacking the distinct spots of a bobcat.