IDENTIFICATION: This
medium sized feline's most obvious feature is its
short tail. It is about five inches long and black
on the tip. Bobcats also have short ear tufts, similar
to a lynx, as well as colors of brown with darker
markings and a cream colored belly.
RANGE
AND HABITAT: Bobcats used
to be found throughout the United States. They are
now rare in the majority of the Midwest and East.
They are residents of Florida and especially like
swampy wooded areas.
REPRODUCTION: Two
young are usually born in the spring. They are blind
and helpless at birth and will stay with their mothers
until fall, or sometimes until the following year.
They can live 10-15 years in the wild, and up to
25 years in captivity.
DIET: The
bobcat is not a picky eater. It will eat just about
any animal it can catch. The bobcat primarily feeds
upon small mammals and birds. It is a nocturnal animal
and has extremely good eyesight that helps make it
an excellent predator.
FUTURE: The
bobcat is not an endangered species, but hunting
could lead to its downfall. Only nine states have
a limit on the number of bobcats a hunter may kill,
and there are no limits in any state on the number
of licenses issued. The bobcat's fur is popular for
coats in Europe and Japan.
CALUSA NATURE CENTER
BOBCAT: We have had our bobcat
since June 1991. He and a brother were brought to
C.R.O.W. (a local wild animal hospital) after being
taken away from someone who was raising them illegally
as pets. Unfortunately, they were given a poor diet
of canned milk that did not fulfill all their nutritional
demands. As a result, the bobcat we have has a slight
hip deformity. By carefully watching him walk, you
will notice his back knees rotate in slightly. With
time, and a lot of hard work, our bobcat's brother
was released into the wild. Once the staff at C.R.O.W.
realized the other's condition, they worked to tame
him so he would feel comfortable around people. Although
we do not name our animals at the Calusa Nature Center,
most people call him Bob. Bob's diet consists of
a combination of canned cat food, mice, rats, chicks,
and ground turkey. He also enjoys the occasional
raw egg. In spite of his hip problems, Bob's natural
hunting instinct is still strong. He has managed
to catch several wild rats, snakes, young opossums
and even skunks. He is very similar to a house cat
except his teeth and claws are much larger. He likes
to play with tennis balls, palmetto branches, and
yarn toys. We try to devote time every day to playing
with and petting Bob. We have considered bringing
him to programs, but like any cat, he does not like
being on a leash! He is also uncomfortable around
lots of people and unfamiliar
surroundings.
Anne
Grace
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