The bobcat, Lynx rufus, is a common wild cat found across North America, ranging from southern Canada through the contiguous United States and into Mexico. This adaptable species is often found in suburban and urban environments, leading to increased human sightings and concern. This article addresses the danger bobcats pose to people and domestic animals, examining their natural behavior and the factors that lead to conflict.
Understanding the Bobcat
Bobcats are relatively small predators, with adults typically weighing between 15 and 30 pounds. They stand approximately 1.5 to 2 feet tall at the shoulder, significantly smaller than mountain lions. Their primary diet consists of smaller prey, predominantly rabbits and hares, but they also consume rodents, birds, and occasionally small deer.
These cats are solitary and territorial, maintaining large home ranges. Bobcats are largely crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk, which limits their direct interaction with humans. Their elusive nature and avoidance of people mean that most human encounters are brief, with the bobcat quickly retreating.
Actual Risk to Humans and Pets
Attacks on humans are exceedingly rare and occur only under specific, extreme circumstances. A healthy bobcat will almost always avoid people; the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not documented any human fatalities due to bobcat attacks. When an attack does occur, it is usually linked to a severe underlying issue, such as the animal being rabid, provoked, or cornered.
The risk shifts when considering small domestic animals, which bobcats may view as potential prey. Bobcats pose a moderate threat to house cats, small dog breeds, poultry, and small livestock like rabbits and goats. They prefer to hunt animals weighing between 1.5 and 12.5 pounds, making small pets vulnerable when natural prey is scarce. Keeping small animals indoors, particularly from dusk till dawn, is the most effective way to eliminate this risk.
Why Conflicts Happen
Conflicts often stem from changes in the bobcat’s natural wariness, a phenomenon known as habituation. When bobcats lose their fear of people due to accessible food sources, they become bolder and more likely to enter residential areas. Leaving pet food outdoors, failing to secure garbage, or using bird feeders that attract rodents can inadvertently train a bobcat to associate human spaces with easy meals.
Illness, particularly rabies, alters the bobcat’s behavior, making it unpredictable and potentially aggressive. A rabid animal may appear disoriented or approach humans without fear, which is abnormal for this naturally shy species.
Defense of a fresh kill or a den containing young kittens is another driver of conflict. A mother may lash out if she perceives a person or pet as a threat to her offspring.
Practical Ways to Encourage Coexistence
Minimizing negative encounters relies on removing attractants and making the environment less inviting. All outdoor food sources must be eliminated, including securing trash cans with tight-fitting lids and feeding pets indoors. Trimming dense shrubbery and clearing excess vegetation near the home removes hiding places bobcats use for cover.
Installing sturdy, high fencing is effective for protecting small livestock and poultry. The fence should be at least six feet tall and extend below ground to prevent digging. If a bobcat ventures too close, safe hazing techniques can re-instill a natural fear of humans. Making loud noises (such as yelling or using an air horn) or spraying the animal with water are simple ways to encourage retreat.