Bobcats are wild animals that prefer to avoid human interaction. While sightings are becoming more common in suburban areas, understanding how to react safely during an encounter and how to prevent them can help ensure peaceful coexistence.
Understanding Bobcat Behavior
Bobcats are adaptable carnivores found in diverse habitats, including suburban settings. They are solitary and secretive, rarely seen in the wild. While active at any time, bobcats are primarily crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. This activity pattern aligns with the peak activity of their prey, such as rabbits, rodents, and birds.
Their diet primarily consists of small mammals like rabbits, squirrels, and gophers, but they can hunt prey ranging from mice to young deer. They may also consume opossums, raccoons, and ground-nesting birds. Their pursuit of these small animals can draw them closer to human settlements, especially if prey is abundant in residential areas.
Responding to a Bobcat Encounter
If you encounter a bobcat, remain calm. Do not approach the animal, especially if it is near young or a kill. Give the bobcat ample space and slowly back away while keeping your eyes on the animal. Avoid turning your back or running, as a bobcat’s instinct might be to chase.
To encourage the bobcat to leave, make yourself appear larger by raising your arms and make loud noises by yelling, stomping your feet, or clapping your hands. You can also throw small objects like rocks or sticks in its direction, but do not directly hit the animal. If you have small children or pets with you, pick them up to make yourself seem more imposing and to protect them.
Aggressive bobcat behavior towards humans is rare. However, if a bobcat does not retreat and shows signs of aggression or attacks, fight back using any available means.
Minimizing Encounters Near Your Home
To reduce bobcat encounters, secure all outdoor trash cans with tight-fitting lids to prevent access to potential food sources. Avoid leaving pet food and water bowls outdoors, as these can attract small prey animals that bobcats hunt. If you have bird feeders, clean up any spilled seeds to deter rodents and other small creatures.
Maintaining your landscaping can also help deter bobcats. Trim dense shrubbery and clear brush piles, as these areas provide hiding spots for bobcats and their prey. For homeowners with poultry or small livestock, ensure enclosures are secure, using heavy-gauge wire and potentially an electrified fence to prevent entry. Supervise pets when they are outdoors, especially small dogs and cats, as they can be vulnerable.
Reporting Concerning Bobcat Behavior
It is sometimes necessary to report bobcat sightings to local wildlife authorities or animal control. Contact them if you observe a bobcat that appears injured or sick. Also report if a bobcat acts aggressively without provocation or shows no fear of humans, indicating it may be habituated.
If a bobcat has caused property damage or attacked a person, pet, or livestock, report these incidents. Many state wildlife agencies provide online forms or contact information for reporting furbearer sightings, which helps biologists monitor populations and behaviors. You can typically find appropriate contact details on your state’s wildlife or natural resources department website.