The bobcat, a member of the feline family, is an occasional visitor to Port Moody. Nocturnal and timid, they are rarely seen. Bobcats resemble very large, very tall housecats, tawny coloured with black spotting and a short tail. Bobcats can vary greatly in size, between 15 and 70 pounds, with males larger than females.
Throughout the Fall of 2002 and Winter of 2002-2003, a bobcat frequented Shoreline Trail. Bobcats are not known to be a threat to humans and will more likely hide, but as with all wild animals, they should never be approached if encountered.
Bobcats are distributed across southern Canada and can be found in broken forests, swamps, farmland and other rocky or bushy terrain.
The litter ranges from 1-7 young who are born late April to early May. A second litter in one year is not uncommon. Bobcats are excellent climbers who often waits in the trees to pounce on their prey which includes rodents, hares, squirrels and birds; they also may take the occasional deer. Larger prey is cached and revisited. Predators of the bobcat include cougars, coyotes, wolves and humans, who use their fur for trim.
The bobcat track is easily distinguished with a round shape, four toes and no claws evident. It is generally twice the size of a domestic cat's print and loosely resembles that of a coyote or dog but is more rounded.
Straddle: 11-12 cm (4.4 - 4.8 in)
Stride: 25 - 35 cm (10 - 14 in)
Track: 4.5 cm (1.8 in) long / 4.5 cm (1.8 in) wide
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