Bobcats!

We have often seen bobcats in yards around Estes Park. Everything I read about them says they are solitary and nocturnal, therefore seldom seen. Not so around here. The two pictured here were photographed in a yard (I borrowed the photo from the Estes Park Newspaper).    They seem to be out and about earlier than usual this year due to the warm weather.

The larger, lighter male is on the right. They are the most plentiful wild cat in the U.S. and range across much of the country having adapted to diverse habitats as forests, swamps, deserts, and mountains. They can weigh up to 30 pounds and visually look similar to their larger relative the Canada lynx. The cat is named for its tail, which appears to be cut or "bobbed."

They usually eat rabbits, birds, mice, squirrels, marmots, other smaller game. The bobcat hunts by stealth, and attacks with a leaping pounce that can cover 10 feet. Females will raise a litter of one to six kittens who remain with their mother for up to a year.

As is seen with other wildlife in this area, including deer, elk, bear, and bighorn sheep, they have also adapted to living in the vicinity of humans. Not that they are tame or want to be approached by humans, but they do not seem put off by coming into areas of human habitation (housing areas). It's more like they just tolerate the human homes being there because there is prey that inhabits the yards. The homes in our area have one acre or larger lots, and so are scattered rather than being close together as in surburbia. I know there are lots of squirrels, gophers, rabbits, and mice living in my yard. Maybe I will get my own bobcat visitors soon.