Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are something of a conservation success story. They are present in all the contiguous states except Delaware. They are common in southern Canada and into Mexico. Northern Canada and Alaska do not have bobcats because of the climate. Hawaii bars them entry. California’s abundant bobcats may be the most numerous in the nation. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) estimates 100,000 live in the state.
Now those bobcats are getting their due as the state is actively studying them and seeking to manage them better. The cats are abundant because of their midsize. Weighing up to 35 pounds they can sustain themselves easily and hide from humans. They are big enough to deter many predators. With a diet that ranges from insects to the occasional deer they are not at a loss for food.
According to CDFW:
“The Department seeks to improve understanding of bobcats in California specific to: 1) population monitoring; 2) species health; and human-bobcat interactions. CDFW continues working to better understand the complexities and capabilities of this native species. Research is vital to applying an adaptive approach to managing their population.”
CDFW was asked to do a statewide population survey. The fieldwork for that survey ended in 2022. A statewide management plan will be completed by January 2025, CDFW said.
California’s abundant bobcats are not without threats. Perhaps the two biggest are traffic and ingestion of pesticides. Commonly used rodenticides can and do cause mange in predators. The famous mountain lion (Puma concolor) P-22 had mange and was successfully treated. The National Park Service (NPS) is also studying bobcats. They estimate about 400 live in the Santa Monica Mountains. Traffic threats are being addressed by CalTrans which is now working to build overcrossings and other wildlife protection into future road development.
Bobcats are one of four members of the lynx family. The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx ) is common throughout Eurasia and is the largest. It can reach 70 pounds. Lynx Canadensis is the Canada lynx and is found mostly in norhern Canada and Alaska. It weighs up to 37 pounds. The Iberian lynx weighs about 30 pounds. It is found is scattered locations in Andalusia and appears to be clawing its way back from the verge of extinction. Only 94 were known to exist in 2002. That number is now 1,663 as of May 2023.