Q. We don't hear much about the bobcat. Where do they live (just in Florida or all over the US)? How many live in our state and has there ever been a report of one attacking a human? Are they protected like the panther and what are their differences? Carl Ellison, Naples
A. Tammy Sapp, a spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) In Tallahassee, Florida explains:
“The bobcat is native to Florida but they aren’t endangered or protected as is the Florida panther. Because bobcats are elusive and individuals are similar in appearance, getting an exact count is not possible. Instead, biologists assess information obtained through sightings, hunting trends and other indicators to determine distribution and abundance. While bobcat hunting is allowed in approximately 30 states, hunting pressure in Florida on this widely distributed and adaptable carnivore is light.
The FWC is very confident that bobcat populations are at healthy levels and that we're managing this legal activity responsibly. They live all over the United States including Central America and Canada. Their cousin is the Canadian Lynx. Bobcats are about twice the size of a domestic cat. An efficient hunter, the bobcat hunts by sight and usually at night. Seeing a bobcat during the day is not uncommon because they sleep for 2 to 3 hours at a time.
Human attacks are very rare and only six attacks in Florida have ever been reported. Five of those attacks were from rabid bobcats and one was from persons attempting to collect a bobcat kitten; which is illegal to capture to make as a pet. None of the attacks resulted in death to the humans involved.
[caption id="attachment_376645" align="alignright" width="300"]
An image of a bobcat, courtesy of FWC.[/caption]
As with any other predator, bobcats can predate on small pets and livestock and those reports are more frequent. The advice here is the same as for coyotes and panthers; keep cats indoors, dogs on short leashes and livestock contained.
Bobcats are commonly found in urban areas and can coexist just fine with people for the most part (a lot of the time, people don't even know they're there!) They are an important part of Florida's ecosystem and provide a valuable service as a mid-sized predator in our state. Bobcats are found throughout the state from the deepest swamps to suburban backyards.
The Panther is a protected species in the State of Florida. FWC tracks car incidents involving panther mortality, however, we do not track this same information on bobcats as they have a healthy established population in the State.”
The bobcat is named for its tail, which appears to be cut or ‘bobbed’ however Dennis Giardina, a biologist with the division of habitat and species conservation for FWC in Naples says people confuse the bobcat and panther all the time.
“Bobcats do actually have a tail, and some are longer than others. If the average citizen were out walking in the early morning hours near a golf course, it’s common to see a bobcat searching for breakfast. Not so with seeing a panther. Bobcats are smaller and eat smaller prey. They can live around people in smaller areas of land. However, panthers are larger and have a harder time hiding. They are looking for bigger prey that lives in mostly vast natural areas. We have to understand that we are pushing into panther country by development and therefore we are coming into contact more with panthers and other wildlife. We all must learn to protect and respect them from afar. Keep your trash cans tightly closed and your pets inside.
It’s mostly young panther’s trying to find their way in the world who show up on backyard porches and patios. But the community needs to realize that the panther and bobcat don’t want anything to do with humans. They don’t want to be your friend.”
It’s when they do that FWC wants to hear from you. If you do see a panther who appears to have no fear of humans- i.e. if you clap your hands and they don’t run or if one were to walk up to you (this reaction is typically due to an illness) please take a photo or video and contact the FWC Hotline number: 1-800-404-3922 (FWCC) so they can track and monitor the situation. Unless you know that a bobcat is sick, (a good indicator is if they approach you) the hotline number does not typically respond to bobcat calls.
As for comparing bobcats and panthers, Giardina hopes these visuals will help everyone better understand their differences.
[gallery type="rectangular" link="none" ids="376647,376646"]
TIDBIT ~ Bobcats are solitary animals. Males and females only associate for the brief time required for courtship and mating.
© 2016 Naples Herald. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.