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Social Structure: Bobcats are solitary animals except when females are expecting kittens, and are fiercely territorial. Within communities of Bobcats, such as the one pictured above, male Bobcats mark their territory clearly and do not interact often with other males. Bobcats do not form groups, except for groups made of mothers with their kittens-- males do not stay around after the mating season to raise the kittens.
Bobcat Reproduction: Bobcats breed once per season. Male Bobcats are not monogamous; their territory will usually encompass 2 or three different females. The mating season of the Bobcat is in the winter, from November to August at the latest.
Mating Rituals: Mating is usually preceded by fights between multiple males in order for one to assert his dominance over a female. During mating, male Bobcats typically bite the necks of females, who in turn bite the ears of males. Mating will typically yield 1 to 6 kittens per litter.
Example of the size and scope of Bobcat territories
Stages of Development:
Birth-2 months: kittens are in their infant stage, nursing from their mother for food, and living inside an inclosed den
2 months-5 months: kittens travel with their mother outside of their den, learning how to hunt
1 year-2 years: Females are considered sexually mature at 1 year and begin to mate; males are considered sexually mature at 2 years
A Bobcat kitten
Male and female Bobcat pictured together
The paw prints of a male Bobcat
Differences Between Male and Female Bobcats: Male Bobcats are typically heavier and larger than females. Males have larger heel pads on their paws and therefore have larger tracks. The territorial range of male Bobcat is also typically 2x the size of a female's. A Bobcat seen with kittens, or seen carrying meat to a den, will always be a female because males do not stay around to raise kittens.
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