Seeing bobcats in Florida is an exciting treat. But remember, all wildlife should be observed from a distance.
When my husband and I decided to build our own home, we spent months looking for just the right piece of property. We wanted our own little place in the woods and were thrilled when we found our two acre piece of property which was dense with old growth oaks, sumacs, palms and palmettos. From the beginning, we loved sharing our property with gopher tortoises, snakes, hawks, barred owls, raccoons, box turtles and a wide assortment of other Florida wildlife. And on special rare occasions, our property has been visited by coyotes, foxes and bobcats.
The problem with having visiting “prey” animals in the neighborhood is that many neighbors have chickens and free roaming cats so some of the neighbors don’t appreciate these beautiful wild creatures as much as the nature lovers do and sometimes have them trapped and relocated.
The Florida Bobcat (Lynx rufus floridanus) is one of only two species of wild feline in Florida. The other species is the Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi). Not as big as a panther, bobcats average about 2 – 4 feet in length, and weigh between 15 – 35 lbs. They are generally not considered dangerous to humans or domestic pets, though small pets can be at risk if left unattended outdoors.
Bobcats are not considered rare or endangered in Florida. Habitat loss and fragmentation are key concerns, and while current bobcat populations are stable, future threats due to urbanization and land development could impact their numbers.
Not only are bobcats one of Florida’s most beautiful natural species, but as predators, they help maintain the balance of our natural ecosystem. In other words, if bobcats disappear, the populations of some of the smaller species which they keep in check, such as rabbits and rodents, will increase. What will this mean to our ecosystem? Reduction in numbers of other large species, such as the panther, red wolf, and black bear from east central Florida, have led to an increase in raccoon populations. Continued reduction in Florida’s bobcat population would likely lead to an overpopulation of certain prey species, competition shifts among predators, and potentially large-scale changes in vegetation and ecosystem structure.
Removing even one bobcat from its current location could impact the species. That is because populations of bobcats are already fragmented and taking away any viable mates could increase the rates of inbreeding which would lead to further degradation of the species.
So what should you do if you see a bobcat in your yard? First, bring in all small pets or children that might try to approach the bobcat. Although bobcats rarely attack humans or domesticate pets, they may do so if they are rabid. And ironically, bobcats can catch diseases from free-roaming or feral cats, including rabies and feline panleukopenia.
Next, appreciate your good fortune. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regional public information director Joy Hill, Most people living in Florida will never see one.
You may want to grab a camera and take some photos if you have time from a distance, of course.
If a bobcat is too close for your comfort you can try to scare them off with loud noises or a hard spray from a garden hose.
Chances are that the bobcat is just passing through your property. Bobcats spend about 75-85% of their time moving. When they do rest, they only spend an average of two to three hours at any one site. They can move as fast as 6.2 mi. in 24 hours. However, small pets should be kept indoors until you are sure the bobcat has left the area.
NEVER feed a bobcat. Like most wildlife species, bobcats have a natural fear of humans. However, they may lose this fear if they are taught to associate people with food. FWC recommends that all food and garbage be secured so as not to unnaturally attract bobcats or other wildlife.
Bobcats may be attracted to a yard that has abundant wildlife, domestic birds, small pets, water, and shade or other shelter. So if you garden to attract small wildlife, you may also see a bobcat from time to time. Although you may feel privileged by the visit, remember that wildlife should be observed from a distance.
For more information, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
To see more videos of wildlife on our property, visit the Backyarder1 channel on Youtube
You might also enjoy reading: Birds, Butterflies and other Blessings
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