As part of the Felidae family, bobcats have large paws, facial whiskers, and sharp claws. The bobcat’s ability to escape its predators and catch its prey is often associated with its running speed. But how about their climbing skills?
Bobcats are proven to be great climbers, and they can climb many types of tall structures. Their reasons for climbing also vary depending on their current needs, ranging from leisure purposes to hunting their prey or staying safe from dangers.
Interested to learn more? Let’s dive deep into this article as I share everything you need to know about bobcats and their climbing behavior.
Do Bobcats Climb?
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According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Insitute, Bobcats are skilled climbers. It is natural for Bobcats to be climbers since many of its Felidae family members are agile climbers – aside from the larger cat species.
As wild animals, bobcats’ ability to climb helps them to stay safe from predators and animals such as charging deer, ferocious dogs, mountain lions, coyotes, and others. Climbing also helps them in hunting their prey like squirrels and other rodents as well as different types of birds.
Are Bobcats Good Climbers?
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance describes Bobcats as good climbers, especially in dangerous situations like when escaping from a predator. Their natural instincts, strong and slender physique, and other genetic features are what make them good climbers.
How High Can A Bobcat Climb?
Bobcats can climb up to six feet or more in height. Their ability to climb high depends on their size, agility, strength, and urgency of a situation. So, each bobcat has their own limitations. For example, there is a record of a Bobcat being on top of a 45-foot cactus!
How Did This Bobcat Get On Top Of 45-Foot Cactus?! | The Dodo
Why Are Bobcats So Good Climbers?
With their long and powerful legs, it is no doubt that Bobcats are very skilled when it comes to climbing. Additionally, their sharp claws are a big advantage in having a stronger grip while climbing.
Moreover, the climbing behavior of bobcats when it comes to hunting their prey is efficient because of their silent footsteps and their fur which provides great camouflage.
Bobcats also possess strong survival instincts during dangerous and life-threatening situations. With that, they always ensure to maximize their abilities to survive.
On the other hand, bobcats’ jumping skills contribute to their great climbing abilities. Did you know? According to The National Conservancy, Bobcats can jump up to 10 feet in the air.
Having the ability to jump that high, and climb trees and other elevated places is a piece of cake for Bobcats.
Do Bobcats Climb Trees?
Since Bobcats usually live in mountainous regions and forests that are surrounded by gigantic trees, it is not surprising that bobcats also climb trees. Bobcats climb trees due to several reasons. It can be for leisure like resting and sleeping, or for hunting and stalking its prey, or lastly, it can be to escape a predator.
Why Do Bobcats Climb Trees?
In an article written by Commonwealth Massachusetts, bobcats climb trees to get away from predators, hunt their prey, and rest.
Bobcats choose to rest on trees during situations where safety is not guaranteed on the ground, or if they can sense the presence of a strong predator nearby. Furthermore, Bobcats also have a wide variety of prey. With that, they sometimes climb trees to hunt for bird nests and baby birds.
In relation to predators, bobcats also climb trees during the night to hide from human hunters. Humans are considered one of the largest threats to bobcats.
Do Bobcats Spend A Lot Of Time In Trees?
Despite having a lot of reasons why they climb trees, bobcats do not spend the majority of their time staying in treetops. They prefer resting on rocky ledges in a thicket.
In addition, some bobcats only climb up a tree in times of survival or hunting; otherwise, they are more likely to stay on the ground.
Bobcats are also considered one of the wild animals that adapt the most easily. So, they have a lot of choices when it comes to finding a permanent habitat – and living in trees is not their top choice.
Caves, mountain rocks, and stumped tree trunks near swamps are the common dens for bobcats.
Author: Kaye
Hi, I’m Kaye! Since an early age, I’ve been fascinated with animals. While growing up, I was constantly watching animal programs and reading magazines. I started writing about animals in 2021 when I volunteered to be a publicity officer in a nonprofit organization that advocates for giving stray animals a better life.
Author: Mitzie C
Mitzie is a writer and animal welfare advocate. Her writing is inspired by her love for her rescue cats, Eddy and Dylan, and her rescue dogs, Cypher, Daegu and Holly. Follow her journey as she discovers her unique voice here in Floofmania and shares her insights on the importance of the animal kingdom.