What is the difference between a bobcat and a Canadian lynx?

Bobcats are the smallest cats in the species with stubby tails and distinct dark strips on the forelegs and tail. Lynx are larger and have a tuft of dark hair on the tips of their ears. Lynx have longer legs and bigger paws.

Did I see a lynx or bobcat?

When it comes to identifying a cat as a lynx, it’s not the eyes that have it, but the ears. The lynx is known by the tuft of black hair on the tips of its ears and its short or bobbed tail. In fact, one species of lynx is called a bobcat! Long legs and a short tail are other traits that link a cat to the lynx group.

How can you tell a Canadian lynx?

In summer, the coats are short, thin and light brown. Canada lynx look like they have wide faces, thanks to long patches of fur that grow like beards along their cheeks. They are most easily recognized by the black tips of their bobbed (short) tails and the long tufts on their triangle-shaped ears.

Can bobcats mate with house cats?

Domestic cat × bobcat (Lynx rufus): There are reports of bobcats breeding with domestic cats, but evidence of offspring remains circumstantial and anecdotal. Their interfertility is yet to be proven scientifically.

How rare is it to see a bobcat?

Bobcats are elusive and nocturnal, so they are rarely spotted by humans. Although they are seldom seen, they roam throughout much of North America and adapt well to such diverse habitats as forests, swamps, deserts, and even suburban areas.

What to do if you see a bobcat?

Lynx, Bobcats, and Cougars When encountering a wild cat, back away slowly and deliberately from the animal. The more distance between you and the cat, the better. Do not run away as that could trigger the feline’s hunting instincts. You can scare it away by spraying water or making noise.

What is a wildcat look like?

Wildcats are generally grey-brown with bushy tails and a well-defined pattern of black stripes over their entire body. Their fur is short and soft. Their coloration is similar to that of a tabby domestic cat and makes them difficult to see in their forested habitats.