If you’re a regular reader of In Forest and Field you may have seen this post from January 2019.
Bobcats frequent the rim of the Allegheny Plateau in this portion of northcentral Pennsylvania. The rim gives them access to habitat in two different forest types, oak-hickory with an understory of mountain laurel on the plateau and hemlock-birch-maple with a scattering of oak on the steep rocky slope into the valley below.
Bobcats travel widely in search of prey but also act as ambush predators, lying in wait until prey comes near enough to be caught with a quick rush. Their prey is composed chiefly of small mammals (mice, voles, squirrels and chipmunks) and birds (songbirds, grouse and even wild turkeys); bobcats will also occasionally eat carrion if it’s not too old.
Breeding in late-winter/early-spring the female selects a den in which to give birth to her kittens two months later. The kittens stay with their mother for a number of months. During the past couple of months it seems that a female bobcat and her two almost-grown kittens have frequented this section of the rim. The camera trap I’ve had there for several years captured a number of videos of them as they traveled past and played –
We’ll say good-bye to the bobcats for now, hopefully we’ll see them again.
Such interesting markings on the backside of the ears. Lovely creatures.
ReplyDeleteGreat images and captures of the Bobcats. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI love the bob cats and haven't seen one here lately. We see the tracks though so they see us!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to actually see a Bobcat.
ReplyDeleteBob cats are a fascinating animal to watch. They are so elusive, that I have only caught a glimpse of one once while working a garden at a city park.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog
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