Shimoli Parikh, Kresson School
Camden County
Bobcat. Camden County Shimoli Parikh
Bobcat
Would you want a bobcat as a house pet? Probably not! A bobcat is a medium-sized cat which is about two feet tall. That’s larger than a housecat, but smaller than a lion or tiger! Bobcats usually weigh twenty pounds, have short, bobbed tails that are three to seven inches, and slightly tufted ears (like housecats) .Their fur is yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, and have bear markings that vary from “tabby” stripes to heavy spotting.
These shy animals are rarely seen by humans and are restricted in North America. Bobcats are found in forest areas, swamp areas in Florida, and desert and dry places in the southwestern United States. There are obviously none in populated areas of the northern mid-states. They were once common in New Jersey, in almost every county, but are not seen often because hunting, building places, and cutting down forests used (or uses) too much space for animals to live. All bobcats are ENDANGERED here!
Most bobcats hunt by night and day, but there is some evidence that most hunting gets done by dawn and dusk. Bobcats eat three pounds of meat at a time! They eat rabbits, squirrels, ground-nesting birds, turkey, and small or sick deer. If they catch a big animal, they will drag it to a safe spot, and return later to feed again. All bobcats have soft pads on their feet, which help them sneak up on prey. Bobcats have excellent vision and hearing, which is great because they use most senses when they are hunting.
When they are small, they den in holes in rocks, and under fallen logs. Mothers have a litter of one to six young. Most are independent from mother at ten to twelve months. Even though bobcats are wild animals, they are not as dangerous as you think! Lets all save the bobcats!
By Shimoli Parikh
Kresson School, Voorhess
Teacher: Mrs. Rocco