Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are one of the adaptable felines that are adjusting to human settlements in North America. However in the more urban areas this brings new direct threats such as vehicle collisions and rodenticides, as well as indirect threats through highways creating barriers to dispersal.

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Unique Facts

~ Wide variation in coloration and size ~

~ Found in all USA states except Delaware ~

~ Most traded cat in legal international fur trade ~

 

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Classification

The taxonomy or scientific classification of the Bobcat species (Lynx rufus) is as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia   (animals)

Phylum: Chordata   (vertebrates)

Class: Mammalia   (mammals)

Order: Carnivora   (carnivores)

Suborder: Feliformia   (cat-like)

Family: Felidae   (cats)

Genus: Lynx

Species: Lynx rufus (Bobcat)

 

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Subspecies (lower classifications)

The Bobcat is listed as Least Concern (LC) globally and is one of the more common and adaptable feline species. Historically 12 subspecies were recognised however the recent taxonomic revision only recognizes two of these, with two subspecies requiring further research.

1. Lynx rufus rufus - East of the Great Plains, North America

includes the previous subspecies: L. r. rufus, L. r. superiorensis, L. r. floridanus, L. r. gigas

2. Lynx rufus fasciatus - West of the Great Plains, North America

includes the previous subspecies L. r. pallescens, L. r. baileyi, L. r. fasciatus, L. r. californicus, L. r. peninsularis, L. r. texensis

Requiring further research are the Mexican subspecies - L. r. esquinapae and L. r. oaxacensis

 

References:

• The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2017-1. <www.iucnredlist.org> Lynx rufus 23 May 2017.
• Kitchener et al. 2017. A revised taxonomy of the Felidae. The final report of the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group.

 

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Conservation

The following organizations are involved in rescue and rehabilitation of Bobcats that have been injured in urban environments, as well as ongoing essential research:

• Bobcat Rescue and Research
• Urban Carnivores - Bobcats
• Big Cat Rescue - Bobcat Rehabilitation

 

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Facts and Information

The following links will take you to websites with well researched and authoritative information on Bobcats:

• Bobcat Fact Sheet - ARKive
• Bobcat Information - ISEC
• Bobcat Images and Video Clips in the Wild - ARKive

• Bobcat Status - IUCN Red List
• Bobcat Distribution Map - IUCN Red List
• Bobcat Detailed Information and Academic Reference List - IUCN Cat Specialist Group

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