Shy in nature, fierce in spirit. Have you spotted one?

Bobcats are beautiful and mysterious wildcats. These evasive animals are rarely seen by humans due to their nocturnal nature and their avoidance of human environments.  They adapt well to different natural habitats including forests, swamps and deserts.


View this post on Instagram


A post shared by Dianne Purkis (@ladydianneelizabeth) on

Bobcat’s colouring can vary, but they are typically brown or brownish red with small spot and stripe-like markings. They have a white underside with a tail that is short and black-tipped.  They have long whiskers that are used to gauge if they can fit into a small space. Their ears are tufted, which are similar to that of the Canada Lynx. Many people confuse these two wildcats and often refer to the tufted ears as a way to tell the difference between the two.  However, the main difference between these animals is that the bobcat is smaller than the Canada Lynx, as the bobcat is only twice the size of a domestic cat.

Bobcats have an endearing and cuddly look, but they are far from gentle and tame. 

These fierce hunters can jump more than 10 feet to pounce on their prey. In fact, they have been known to prey upon animals much larger than themselves, such as a young deer.

Yet, bobcats’ diet tends to be smaller game consisting of rabbits, mice, and squirrels. Generally, they hunt at night using their excellent vision and sleep in a den by day. The den is usually a hollow tree or a cave. 

Surprisingly, bobcats are skilled swimmers, and can run up to an astonishing speed of 50km/h!

Some other wildcat facts:

  • In some areas they are trapped for their fur
  • Their life span is approximately 10 years
  • A mother can have 1 to 6 kittens which will stay with her for 9 months to a year.

This reclusive feline has many more interesting facts to read and learn about. Now is a ‘purrfect’ time!

– Article by Flora McLeod

*Note: So far no bobcat has been spotted in Wilden, but rather in the Eastern areas of Kelowna.*