A member of the Lynx genus is present across Texas, but it is not the Canadian Lynx (Lynx canadensis). Instead, the state is home to its southern relative, the Bobcat (Lynx rufus). The Canadian Lynx thrives in deep, snowy northern forests, while the Bobcat is a highly adaptable feline that occupies almost every environment Texas offers, from the Pineywoods to the Trans-Pecos. This widespread presence makes the Bobcat the most commonly seen wildcat in Texas, though its secretive nature means encounters are relatively rare.
Identifying the Texas Cat
The Bobcat (Lynx rufus) is classified in the same genus as the Canadian, Eurasian, and Iberian Lynxes. This medium-sized cat is roughly twice the size of a domestic house cat. Adult males in Texas typically weigh between 12 and 36 pounds and measure around three feet in length. The Bobcat’s namesake is its distinctive, short tail, which appears “bobbed” and usually measures less than seven inches long, featuring a black tip on top and a white underside.
Physical features distinguishing the Bobcat include ear tufts that are noticeably shorter and less pronounced than those of the Canadian Lynx. Its coat is generally tan to reddish-brown with black streaks and spots that act as camouflage, a pattern more conspicuous than the Canadian Lynx’s fainter spotting. The Bobcat also has smaller paws and shorter legs compared to the Canadian Lynx, which possesses oversized, heavily furred paws specialized for walking on deep snow.
Habitat and Range Across the State
The Bobcat’s geographic distribution covers the entirety of Texas, a testament to its ecological flexibility. This adaptability allows it to inhabit a vast array of landscapes, from the heavily wooded bottomland forests of the Pineywoods in East Texas to the arid desert canyons of the Trans-Pecos region. They are also prevalent in the rocky limestone terrain of the Edwards Plateau and the dense brushlands of South Texas.
The ability to thrive in varied environments means the Bobcat population density shifts depending on local conditions and prey availability. They favor areas that provide dense cover for both hunting and denning, such as thickets, hollow logs, and rocky cliff crevices. This preference for concealment allows them to exist successfully near human settlements, even on the edges of suburban and agricultural areas, provided sufficient brush and cover remain. The Bobcat generally avoids large, open grasslands that offer little opportunity for ambush or refuge.
Daily Life of the Bobcat
Bobcats are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, meaning their activity peaks around dawn, dusk, and throughout the night. This schedule contributes to their secretive reputation.
During the day, they typically rest in a concealed den site, such as a rock pile or a thicket, emerging as the sun begins to set. A male Bobcat can travel between two and five miles each night, traversing its home range in search of food.
The Bobcat is a carnivorous, opportunistic predator whose diet is overwhelmingly composed of small mammals. Rabbits, including the eastern cottontail, are the most important food source, followed closely by various rodents like mice and wood rats, and small birds.
The cat employs a strategy of stalking and ambush, using its acute eyesight and hearing to locate prey before pouncing with a sudden burst of speed. While they can take larger prey like deer fawns, the meat found in their stomachs is often scavenged carrion. The Bobcat is currently not a threatened species in Texas and plays a significant role in the ecosystem by managing populations of small prey animals.