Bobcat (Lynx rufus) - Lynx Genus
California bobcat, Lynx rufus, Bill Wight, Rancho Cucamonga, CA USA
Bill W Ca at English Wikipedia [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

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.

Lynx Lineage

1. Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx)

2. Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis)

3. Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)

4. Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

Key Facts about Bobcats

~ Variable coloring & size ~

~ All of USA except Delaware ~

~ Highest skins legal fur trade ~

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Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Classification

The Bobcat species belongs to the genus Lynx and the full taxonomy or scientific classification is:

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)

Phylum: Chordata (vertebrates)

Class: Mammalia (mammals)

Order: Carnivora (carnivores)

Suborder: Feliformia (cat-like)

Family: Felidae (cats)

Subfamily: Felinae (small cats)

Genus: Lynx

Species: Lynx rufus (Bobcat)

Subspecies:

L.r. rufus

L.r. fasciatus

The scientific name for the Bobcat is Lynx rufus; which is also known as the binomial name, species name, Latin name, biological name or zoological name.

Canada Lynx Sticker
Canada Lynx
Bobcat Sticker
Bobcat
Eurasian Lynx Sticker
Eurasian Lynx
Iberian Lynx Sticker
Iberian Lynx
Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Classification Chart
Click chart to download.
Permission to use for personal or educational use.
Credit: www.WildCatFamily.com.

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Subspecies

Bobcat Lower Classifications

Historically twelve Bobcat subspecies were recognized however the last Felidae taxonomic revision in 2017 only recognized 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

Bobcat Conservation

The global conservation status of the Bobcat is Least Concern (LC) and it is one of the more common and adaptable feline species.

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

Big Cat Rescue - Bobcat Rehabilitation

Please support these organizations with their important work if you can. No matter the size of your contribution, every bit helps!


Past projects:

Bobcat Rescue and Research

Urban Carnivores - Bobcats

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Research

Here is a list of papers published on Bobcats. Click on the title bar to view the abstract and the link to the article.

View more articles on Lynx rufus in the IUCN Cat Specialist Group database (scroll down once the library page is loaded to see the list).

Consider joining the Friends of the Cat Specialist Group to access the full articles and receive their journal Cat News covering the latest wild cat research.

Bobcat Facts and Information

These organizations have well researched and authoritative information on Bobcats:

Wild Cats of North America Print
Wild Cats of North America by Roger Hall
View Wild Cats of North America Print