where do bobcats live in the united states
Bobcat
The bobcat ( Lynx rufus ) is a North American cat that appeared during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago ( AEO ) . Containing 2 recognized subspecies , it ranges from southern Canada to central Mexico , including most of the contiguous United States . The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas , as well as semidesert , urban edge , forest edge , and swampland environments . It remains in some of its original range , but populations are vulnerable to local extinction ( `` extirpation '' ) by coyotes and domestic animals . With a gray to brown coat , whiskered face , and black - tufted ears , the bobcat resembles the other species of the midsized genus Lynx . It is smaller on average than the Canada lynx , with which it shares parts of its range , but is about twice as large as the domestic cat . It has distinctive black bars on its forelegs and a black - tipped , stubby ( or `` bobbed '' ) tail , from which it derives its name .
The bobcat ( Lynx rufus ) is a North American cat that appeared during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago ( AEO ) . Containing 2 recognized subspecies , it ranges from southern Canada to central Mexico , including most of the contiguous United States . The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas , as well as semidesert , urban edge , forest edge , and swampland environments . It remains in some of its original range , but populations are vulnerable to local extinction ( `` extirpation '' ) by coyotes and domestic animals . With a gray to brown coat , whiskered face , and black - tufted ears , the bobcat resembles the other species of the midsized genus Lynx . It is smaller on average than the Canada lynx , with which it shares parts of its range , but is about twice as large as the domestic cat . It has distinctive black bars on its forelegs and a black - tipped , stubby ( or `` bobbed '' ) tail , from which it derives its name .