Lynx rufus

Appearance: Bobcats are named for their short black-tipped tails.  They have tufted ears, long legs, and large paws. Their short, thick top fur coat can range from light brown to red and their under coat is white with dark black spots. They have ruffs of hair on the sides of their head, which appear to look like sideburns.

Range: Resourceful and versatile, bobcats are capable of adapting to a variety of habitats including forests, swamps, and deserts. Once found throughout the United States, today the bobcat’s range is limited. Aside from humans (vehicles and habitat loss due to urbanization), natural bobcat predators include wolves and cougars.

Diet: Bobcats are solitary hunters that prey mostly on small mammals like rabbits, rodents, and sometimes birds, reptiles, or young deer. Bobcats have a well-developed sense of smell and excellent night vision. They use their sharp, retractable claws to climb trees and ambush their prey.

Tufts

Date of Birth: May 2023

Tufts came to the WNC Nature Center in July 2023 from the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Banner Elk, NC. He was named after Edgar Tufts, the founder of Lees-McRae College, where the rehabilitation center is located.

Kohana

Date of Birth: May 2023

Kohana came to the WNC Nature Center from the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources and joined Tufts in late November 2023.