Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are present and thriving in Connecticut. They are the only wild cat species found in the state, and their population has made a significant recovery from historical lows. These adaptable felines are now regularly observed across all eight counties, confirming their successful re-establishment throughout the region.
The Status of Bobcats in Connecticut Today
The bobcat population experienced a severe decline due to extensive deforestation for agriculture in the 18th and 19th centuries and unregulated hunting. The state placed a bounty on bobcats from 1935 to 1971, which suppressed their numbers significantly. By the early 1970s, the species faced possible local extinction within the state’s borders.
A major turning point occurred in 1972 when the bobcat was reclassified as a protected furbearer, ending all hunting and trapping seasons. This legal protection, combined with the natural regeneration of forests—which now cover nearly 60% of the state—allowed the population to begin a successful recovery. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) monitors and manages the population using public sighting reports and data from road-killed animals to track distribution and health.
Bobcats now reside in all eight Connecticut counties, with the highest concentrations found in the northwestern corner of the state. Since 2017, the CT DEEP has conducted a long-term Bobcat Research Project to investigate habitat use in varying housing densities. This research tracks individuals with GPS collars to understand how they utilize both rural and suburban areas, aiding in the conservation and management of the species, which is classified as a regulated furbearer.
Identifying Bobcats and Their Preferred Habitats
Bobcats are stout-bodied, medium-sized felines, typically weighing between 15 and 35 pounds. This is two to three times the size of a domestic house cat. They are named for their most distinctive feature: a short, “bobbed” tail that is only about six inches long, often with dark bands and a black tip. The coat is generally tawny or reddish-brown, with faint dark spots and a white underbelly.
The bobcat’s head features prominent cheek ruffs and pointed ears topped with small tufts of black hair, known as “lynx tips.” A key way to distinguish their tracks from those of canids, like coyotes or foxes, is the absence of claw marks, as bobcats have retractable claws. Their tracks are also more rounded than those of canids and significantly larger than those left by house cats.
Bobcats are highly adaptable, inhabiting diverse Connecticut terrain, including deciduous forests, mixed woodlands, and scrub lowlands. They often prefer areas with thick understory, rocky outcrops, or wetlands, as these provide ample cover for hunting and denning. Increasingly, they are found on the edges of suburban areas, utilizing brushy habitats near human development where small prey is abundant.
Their diet is composed primarily of small to medium-sized prey, demonstrating their role as a top predator. Common prey items include cottontail rabbits, squirrels, woodchucks, mice, and voles. They are ambush hunters, patiently stalking their quarry before capturing it. They occasionally cache larger kills by covering them with vegetation to return to later.
Understanding Bobcat Behavior and Safety
Bobcats are solitary, territorial animals most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk, making daytime sightings relatively rare. Their secretive nature means they generally avoid human contact, and attacks on people are extremely uncommon. They are not considered a significant vector for diseases like rabies, unlike raccoons or skunks.
Homeowners can take steps to minimize the chances of a bobcat visiting their property, as the animals are primarily drawn to residential areas by accessible food sources. Securing pets is important; small dogs and cats should be kept indoors, especially from dusk until dawn, or supervised while outside. Removing potential attractants, such as unsecured trash, pet food left outdoors, and bird feeders that draw small rodents, helps discourage their presence.
If a bobcat is sighted on or near a property, the best course of action is “hazing,” which involves making its experience unpleasant. This means making loud noises, like clapping or yelling, or using an air horn to encourage the animal to leave. If an individual encounters a bobcat at close range, they should stand tall, wave their arms to appear larger, and slowly back away without turning their back.