If I have to give you a brief info about the Black Bobcat it would be by mentioning the most important facts for the breed. Black Bobcats are mammals with the scientific name Lynx rufus. They are carnivores as the other animals from the cat family. Their average lifespan is between 10-12 years.
Explaining their appearance, it is important to say that their body is 26-41 inches (66-104cm) long, from head to tail. This size animal weighs 11-30 pounds (24,2-26.4 kg). Bobcats do look very cute and fluffy but they are far more different than a home cat. The Black Bobcats live through North America in various habitats. Forests, swamps, grasslands, deserts, or even suburban areas can be their home. This breed is the most common wild cat in America. Known to be nocturnal animals they are rarely seen by people.
When you see a Black Bobcat the first thing to notice is the tail that looks short, black-tipped, and like it has been bobbed why they are called the name Bobcats. They are predators by nature and skilled hunters. They eat rabbits, mice, squirrels, and some other small animals, although they can kill prey that is much bigger than themselves. Like other members of the Lynx family Black Bobcats are solitary and territorial animals.
Males and females usually mate in February or March and the young are born in April or sometimes in May.
The Black Bobcats are assumed to be the least concerned animals by the International Union of Conservation of Nature. This breed is threatened by human activities which take place on their territory. These activities are destroying their natural habitats.
After this brief outline of the Black Bobcat breed, there arises a question about the retry of melanism in wild nature.
Is a Black Bobcat a Mythical Creature or Melanistic Marvel?
Black Bobcats are said to be unicorns of the feline world. They are rare, mysterious, and captivating. Very few people have encountered these shadowy cats. Most of these unexpected sights happened in the southern of the USA, in Florida. There you can walk in a swamp and just feel the vicinity of a Black Bobcat which you may at first mistake for a regular bobcat. You will be aware of who you meet as soon as the light makes you positive for the size and appearance of this creature.
What is Melanism?
The word melanism is the opposite of albinism and that is a situation in which a pigment is missing. Melanism is an unusual presence of the dark pigment known as melanin the fur or skin of an animal. It can be a reason for an unusual black squirrel, black jaguars, and in our elaboration the Black Bobcat.
The Black Bobcats are not completely black. They may take a shadow of the charcoal or very dark brown. If you see the Black Bobtail cat in a perfect light, you may also notice faint outlines of spots and stripes. The most common eye color in Black Bobcats is yellow or green. No matter how imposing they look they are similar to their urban family in the face looks and the body structure.
Behavior patterns or secrets of the Melanistic Hunters
There isn’t any definite answer of what is the behavioral pattern of the Black Bobtail cats. Is one of the wild ones similar to the urban counterparts. The Black Bobcats share some of the characteristics with the regular Bobcats. Black Bobcats try to avoid humans whenever it is possible. They are territorial and solitary animals.
Favorite parts of the day for them are dawn and dusk and at this time they are using their hunting skills to catch small prey like rabbits and rodents. The dark color of their skin is a great camouflage and adds to their body temperature, which is yet not scientifically proven.
There are many strange stories about these black mythical creatures and their behavior when close to humans. According to a wildlife photographer’s story there used to be a situation when a Black Bobtail Cat has made a show for him, being nice and even “dancing” in front of him, but these kinds of stories are hard to believe. Maybe the cat was a unique example of a curious animal and wanted to make close contact with a human. Behavioral differences exist in the wild as they exist among us, humans.
The Black Bobcat is an example of our fascination with melanism
The beauty of the Black Bobcat is undeniable. Its appearance is rare and strong enough to capture our imagination.
From a sociological point of view, the black cats were connected to mystery and magic. In some way a supernatural existence. The bobcat has an important role in the folklore of the Native Americans where it is seen as a powerful guardian.
In modern times the Black Bobcat is a symbol of wildness and a reminder of raw beauty. Seeing a creature like this one is assumed equal to access to a secret world and some other level of existence.
Being a member of the extinct species, this animal is a sign to us that we have to preserve its habitat.
Black Bobcats are examples of nature’s way of telling us about its never-ending tendency to surprise and inspire us. No matter how we feel about the world around us and think that everything is predictable, the Black Bobtail cat is a creature that has to be discovered more.
The appreciation of the feline world is out of the question because there are a variety of felines being kept as pets. The importance of the subject comes from the need to protect the habitats that are home to wild felines and preserve them. Preserving forests and swamps we make them feel safe.
