Editor:
The bobcat shown in a recent issue, and believed to be the one that attacked Mr. Deloe, at 40 Ibs. is huge for our area, about twice the size expected for a large specimen. Did size have anything to do with emboldening this animal to attack humans?
Lynx rufus, the bobcat, or bay lynx, is found in all lower 48 states, Mexico and southern Canada. I’ve seen the animal in California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Mexico and Georgia. The cat, being a predator, is probably not thick on the land, but is likely as abundant locally as the environment will allow.
The bobcat is rarely abroad by day, but occasionally one can be seen crossing a road. I’ve seen about a dozen in Screven and Bulloch counties over my lifetime.
The bobcat may not be large, but it is about as fierce as any tiger, and can do a lot of damage if confronted. The animal preys mostly on small animals, but will take what in can subdue. Around 1900 my grandfather, Thomas Collins, was out at daybreak calling wild turkeys from a hide in Candler County when he was jumped by a bobcat. Fortunately the cat jumped off about as suddenly as it jumped on.
In the last few decades a large variety of the bobcat has increased in numbers in the New England states. This animal regularly attacks deer, particularly does and fawns. Zoologists speculate this larger bobcat is emerging to fill the niche vacated by the cougar. Could the local bobcats be exploring this niche? There are enough deer around to sustain such a move.
Joshua A. Lee
Sylvania
The bobcat shown in a recent issue, and believed to be the one that attacked Mr. Deloe, at 40 Ibs. is huge for our area, about twice the size expected for a large specimen. Did size have anything to do with emboldening this animal to attack humans?
Lynx rufus, the bobcat, or bay lynx, is found in all lower 48 states, Mexico and southern Canada. I’ve seen the animal in California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Mexico and Georgia. The cat, being a predator, is probably not thick on the land, but is likely as abundant locally as the environment will allow.
The bobcat is rarely abroad by day, but occasionally one can be seen crossing a road. I’ve seen about a dozen in Screven and Bulloch counties over my lifetime.
The bobcat may not be large, but it is about as fierce as any tiger, and can do a lot of damage if confronted. The animal preys mostly on small animals, but will take what in can subdue. Around 1900 my grandfather, Thomas Collins, was out at daybreak calling wild turkeys from a hide in Candler County when he was jumped by a bobcat. Fortunately the cat jumped off about as suddenly as it jumped on.
In the last few decades a large variety of the bobcat has increased in numbers in the New England states. This animal regularly attacks deer, particularly does and fawns. Zoologists speculate this larger bobcat is emerging to fill the niche vacated by the cougar. Could the local bobcats be exploring this niche? There are enough deer around to sustain such a move.
Joshua A. Lee
Sylvania