As in Ohio, the Bobcat is starting to make a comeback in the Hoosier state of Indiana............The rugged terrain, deep forests and limestone caves of south central Indiana make perfect dens and hunting grounds for the bobcat population.............According to Marion T. Jackson's The Natural Heritage of Indiana, bobcats have roamed the state for more than 125,000 years.........Data accumulated to date suggests that bobcats occur at moderate levels in the forested, southcentral portion of the state, and to a lesser extent, in the natural lakes region..............A database was created in 1989 to record bobcat sightings............. A total of 38 confirmed bobcat sightings have been recorded along with dozens of unconfirmed reports of northwest Indiana............

Watch out for Bobcats

 Don Bickel; Journal Review.com

Several days past, a bobcat was struck and killed by a vehicle on C.R. 600W in Montgomery County. The bobcat was a mature female — further description was not available. The animal was found by a nearby resident, who moved it from the roadway and called Indiana Conservation Officer Blaine Gillan.This was an uncommon incident, but one likely to be repeated in the future. If a driver strikes an animal and realizes the happening, stop and know what was hit. If it was an animal such as a bobcat, notify the County Sheriff's office as soon as possible. They in turn will notify the Indiana Conservation Officer.

Bobcats are becoming a part of our wildlife scene, although at present they should be considered uncommon, but not rare, particularily in this West Central Indiana region. If you do have contact with a bobcat, whether struck by a vehicle or some other occurrence, do not transport it to another location. If on a road, the deceased animal may be moved to the side of the road away from moving traffic.
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Bobcats are Indiana's biggest and most elusive cat.
NATURECONSERVANCY.ORG



Scientific name: Lynx rufus

Length: 24-48 inches long

Height: 18-24 inches tall

Weight: 15-30 lbs. (males larger)

Coat coloration: tannish with dark spots; lighter coloring on belly

Distinguished by: short (4-7 in) tail with black tip on top side; tufts of hair on top of ears and on cheeks

Habitats: found throughout North American forests, mountains and brushlands

Feeding habits: carnivorous; feed on small mammals and birds; occasionally reptiles

Predators: kittens are hunted by foxes, coyotes and large owl; man is the only threat to adults

Reproduction: mate February to March; average litter of two to three kittens; young stays with mother 7-12 months

Life span: 10-15 years in wild

Conservation status: abundant populations in U.S. and Canada

Bobcats are often confused as their cousin, the lynx, as both share a tannish brown coat with dark spots or lined markings. The differences between the two species are in the details. Bobcats have short, pointy dark tufts of hair on the tops of their ears and fluffy tufts of hair on their cheeks. The most significant difference is the tail. Bobcats have short, bobbedtails that are between 4 - 7 inches in length, hence the name.

Bobcats are entirely carnivorous, and like to prey on smaller mammals such as rabbits, mice, moles and squirrels. Sometimes birds and reptiles are included in their diets. The largest animal a bobcat has been known to kill is deer, usually in the winter months when small rodents are scarce. Since they are crepuscular creatures, bobcats only hunt from dusk to dawn.

Remote rocky outcrops and heavily wooded areas are favored by bobcats, though they are, at times, found on the urban edge. The rugged terrain, deep forests and limestone caves of south central Indiana make perfect dens and hunting grounds for our small bobcat population. The home ranges established by bobcats are vast and guarded. Bobcats are very territorial and will outline their space by scent markings. While male territories will sometimes overlap, females won't share their space with any other female bobcat.

As solitary and far-ranging mammals, interactions between humans and bobcats are rare. Yet for years, bobcats were considered endangered in Indiana. As there are no known predators of the great cat, it is safe to say that man was the bobcat's largest threat. Land development, over-hunting and trapping bobcats for their fur are just a few reasons our state was once in danger of losing our biggest cat.

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Bobcats in Indiana

Bobcats were once found in abundance prior to the settlement of our great state. According to Marion T. Jackson's The Natural Heritage of Indiana, bobcats have roamed our lands for more than 125,000 years. However, man soon became the bobcat's worst enemy. The habitats bobcats needed to survive were lost due to forest clearing for land development and agricultural use. More were lost as traders eagerly trapped bobcats for their valuable fur. They were also hunted regularly by farmers who feared for their livestock. Unbeknown to the early settlers, bobcats are, in fact, a beneficial predator as they prey on rats and other small rodents. By the time the Endangered Species Act passed, the bobcat population had declined so considerably that it was included in Indiana's original endangered species list.

Indiana's Division of Fish & Wildlife began a population study of the bobcat in December 1998. Their Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program were asked to determine the abundance and distribution of bobcats in the state. By tracking, trapping and the fitting bobcats with radio collars, the agency was able gather information that would be used to create future management guidelines. With the help from hunters, outdoor enthusiasts and other concerned Hoosiers, the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program was able to provide more habitats for bobcats to live and flourish. In 2005, thanks to long-term management and research programs, the bobcat was removed from the state’s endangered species list and reclassified as a Species of Special Concern.

Interesting Facts about Bobcats

•Bobcats are sometimes known as Felis rufus as they are part of the cat family Felidae. They are also called bay lynx and red lynx.

•Bobcats emit an eerie scream that can be heard for miles. These calls are a way for them to communicate with one another during the breeding season.

•A bobcat's personal territory can span out up to 30 square miles for males and five square miles for females. These territories are clearly marked by the bobcat's urine and/or feces.

•Bobcats have excellent vision, hearing and a well-developed sense of smell.

•Unlike the domesticated housecat, bobcats enjoy the water and are very good swimmers.

•As incredibly skilled climbers, bobcat can easily maneuver around rocky terrain and climb up tall trees when pursuing their prey.

•Bobcats are very quiet hunters who pounce on their prey and can kill it with one bite. These large cats are known to leap up to ten feet in the air

•Bobcat tracks are easy to distinguish - roundish paw, four toes and no claw-markings.

•While Lynx rufus is flourishing through North America, the Mexican bobcat is still considered a federally endangered specie.

Bobcats once ranged throughout Indiana before settlement of the Hoosier state. Loss of habitat because of forest clearing and new settlements in remote areas probably caused the drastic population decline. As a result, the bobcat was classified as endangered in 1969, providing full protection for this rare species, but the bobcat was able to be removed from the list in 2005 due to its increased population. A database was created in 1989 to record bobcat sightings. A total of 38 confirmed bobcat sightings have been recorded along with dozens of unconfirmed reports. Some reports are actually feral cat sightings. Without physical evidence, photos or expert confirmation, most reports are viewed with skepticism. Data accumulated to date suggests that bobcats occur at moderate levels in the forested, southcentral portion of the state, and to a lesser extent, in the natural lakes region of northwest Indiana.


POPULATION STUDY----The Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program began a study in December 1998 to determine the abundance and distribution of bobcats in the state. The project is focused on southcentral Indiana. Bobcats are trapped, radiocollared and then tracked to determine habitat use, reproduction and abundance. Data gathered from the study will be used to create management guidelines.