Bobcat

Lynx rufus rufus

Meet Monty

Maymont has one male bobcat, named Monty, who came to live at Maymont in 2008. He was found as a kitten in the Blue Ridge Mountains and mistakenly identified as a housecat. The people who found him took him home to adopt him. When they took him to the vet, they learned he was a bobcat. The Wildlife Center of Virginia took him in to rehabilitate him, but he was already too used to humans and could not be released back into the wild.

Adopt Me

Keeper's Notes

He purrs or is vocal when the keepers bring food or enrichment activities that keep his instincts stimulated and attentive to care.

Monty is very curious, like other small cats.

Monty is known for eating things he shouldn’t! To keep Monty safe, his habitat is kept clear of small inedible items he might tear up and ingest including grass, mulch or soil, or even toys. When he is given enrichment, he must be monitored and the items removed daily.

Species Info

DIET

Mostly small mammals; opportunistic feeders of plentiful wild animals

SIZE

10-25 lbs, approximately 2-3 ft long

LIFESPAN

10 to 14 years in the wild; and 18-20 years in care setting

HABITAT & RANGE

Forested mountain regions, timbered swamps; highest concentrations in Virginia are in the Dismal Swamp and Blue Ridge Mountains

CONSERVATION STATUS

They are found commonly throughout the state.

Quick Facts

Bobcats are mostly solitary animals, but in care settings, several can live together.

Bobcats get their name from their stubby or naturally “bobbed” tails.

The various calls of the bobcat sound much like those of the domestic cat, although their screams sound similar to a human baby. Bobcats are similar to other small cats in that they have the ability to purr, whereas large cats do not.

Additional Resources:

Bobcat | Virginia DWR

Explore

Virginia Wildlife Trail

The Robins Nature Center

Maymont Farm

Adopt This Animal!

Through a symbolic adoption, you help us care for our bobcat and all the animals in Maymont’s care.

Adopt a Bobcat