What do bobcats eat?
Bobcats, or lynx Rufus, are wild cats who live throughout the southern and eastern parts of the United States and northern Asia.
They live in such a large area and eat a wide variety of different kinds of prey.
There, bobcats mainly hunt small mammals like rabbits and birds.
However, they have been known to eat just about anything they can find.
Even people continue to report seeing bobcats who have killed and eaten much larger animals like deer, goats, and even alligators.
Bobcats eat many different things, such as small rodents like rabbits and mice.
They also eat squirrels, chipmunks, rats, groundhogs (also known as woodchucks), opossums, shrews, moles, and bats.
Bobcats will occasionally prey on birds; they commonly take domestic chickens when given the opportunity.
Bobcats’ Dietary Habits
Bobcats usually hunt in the evening and at night, though they may also hunt during the day.
They eat just about anything that they can catch.
For example, in one story, a bobcat is reported to have been seen eating a live alligator.
When bobcats are unable to find other food, this species will feed on carrion, even if it has already begun to decay and smell.
Other than live prey and animal matter that is already dead, bobcats also eat various plants and vegetables such as mushrooms, grasses, leaves, vines, berries, and fruit.
Bobcats are solitary hunters who usually only come together to mate.
They mainly hunt between dusk and dawn but will also go out during the day if hunting conditions are right or if the prey is scarce.
Bobcats can usually be found near water and will sometimes swim out to get to their prey.
They are rarely seen because they blend in well with their surroundings and move very quietly while hunting.
Some animals that bobcats commonly eat include birds like ducks, quails, and owls; small mammals like rabbits and mice; other small animals like frogs and insects; and sometimes larger animals like deer, goats, and alligators.
Bobcats are one of the most widespread wild cat species in North America.
They have been known to attack both pets and people but usually only do so when they are not given enough food or when they are being threatened.
