Bobcats are essential in the wild. They are considered a top-level predator. As a carnivore or meat eater, bobcats feed on other animals such as rabbits and deer.1 If bobcats didn’t consume these animals their populations would increase and that translates into decreases in what deer and rabbits eat which is vegetation. If vegetation is eliminated high levels of soil erosion occur and cause issues with flooding and water pollution.
The bobcat population is thriving in southern Arizona and has been stable in the state for years.
Because development is encroaching into bobcat habitat it is not uncommon to find bobcats in densely populated areas of the state, like Maricopa County and the greater Phoenix area.
For this reason, knowledge of bobcat behavior and ways to keep your family, pets and property safe is important.
How to Identify a Bobcat
People often confuse bobcats with cougars. Bobcats generally weigh 12 to 30 pounds with males weighing more than females.2 Cougars are much larger animals, typically weighing 137 pounds on average for males and 93 pounds for females.3 Bobcats are generally tan with dark spots on their coats and have a short tail with a black tip on the top side.
Pet Safety
In addition to rabbits and deer a bobcat’s diet often consists of small mammals and birds. They will also eat lizards, snakes and small pets. If there are reports of a bobcat in your area it is recommended that pets, such as small dogs and cats, be supervised when outside.
A fence is not a deterrent to bobcats as they have the ability to jump 12 feet. Bobcats are generally solitary creatures, not pack animals. When you do observe two bobcats together it most likely is during the mating season which runs from December to March, with their 2-3 kittens born from late March to early June. Spring into summer is a time to be wary of a bobcat guarding its litter.
Where Bobcats May be Present
Bobcats rarely attack people, but they do tend to hang around backyards. This is because they can readily find food, water, or shelter in most backyards. In the dry summer months bobcats will seek water sources like pools, birdbaths, fountains and pets’ water dishes.
Dry, summer months are also ideal times for bobcats to find backyard shade attractive, whether it’s a patio or space under a deck or brush or bushes where they can rest.
Ways to Deter Bobcats from Your Yard
If you encounter a bobcat, they will usually run away. If they don’t run away you can scare the bobcat off with loud noises or by squirting them with water from a garden hose.4
Keeping pet food inside your home and keeping bushes trimmed helps prevent bobcats from returning to your yard. Keep pets and chickens and other domestic animals in cages with study roofs.
What to Do if You Encounter a Bobcat
If the bobcat is trapped inside a garage, shed or home, contact a wildlife removal specialist immediately. Do not try to remove the animal yourself as animal behavior is erratic when trapped or the animal could actually be rabid, even though few bobcats contract rabies.
Bobcats are territorial and that is another reason to contact a professional. A bobcat will return to its territory even when it is removed to a location over 30 miles away. Bobcats can’t be killed without a valid hunting license unless the bobcat is killing livestock.
You can’t fire a gun within a quarter-mile of an occupied residence so killing a bobcat in your backyard, even with a valid hunting license, may be unlawful. Local ordinances may also prohibit the use of slingshots, BB guns, air guns or bows.5
Contact Wildlife Removal Services in Maricopa County
If bobcats are frequently showing up on your property, it’s best to contact a wildlife removal specialist. Critter Evictors in Scottsdale provides professional wildlife removal services in Maricopa County, including property assessments, guidance on deterrence, and safe, humane removal options when needed.
Our team can help make your property less attractive to wildlife and recommend the best, next steps to protect your home, pets, and outdoor spaces.
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1 The Importance of Bobcats
Link: https://education.turpentinecreek.org/2020/06/01/the-importance-of-bobcats/
2, 4, 5 Living with Bobcats
Link: https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife-conservation/living-with-wildlife/living-with-bobcats/
3 Cougar
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cougar