What is the Difference Between Bobcat and Cougar?

Bobcats and cougars, both members of the Felidae family, have some similarities but also distinct differences. Here are the key differences between the two:

• Size: Cougars are significantly larger than bobcats. Cougars have bodies 5 to 6 feet in length, including their long tails, and can weigh up to 180 pounds. In contrast, bobcats are much smaller, measuring just 2 to 3.5 feet long and weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Tail: The size distinction between cougars and bobcats is recognizable in their tails. Cougars have a 2.5- to 3.5-foot tail, while bobcats have a much shorter, 6-inch tail.
• Color and Pattern: Both cats have tawny or brown-colored coats, but cougars have solid hues while bobcats are more mottled or spotted. Cougars also have pointed ears, whereas bobcats have rounded ears with ear tufts.
• Diet: Although both cats are carnivores, cougars have a more diverse diet, preying on larger animals such as deer and elk. Bobcats primarily feed on rodents and other small mammals, but they have also been known to attack larger animals like deer.
• Habitat: Cougars are the largest of the three species of wild cats in Alberta and can be found across the province. Bobcats, on the other hand, are usually found in the southern end of the province and are often found in forested areas or other places with lots of overgrown vegetation.

In summary, cougars and bobcats are different species with distinct differences in size, tail length, color, diet, and habitat.

Comparative Table: Bobcat vs Cougar

Here is a table comparing the differences between bobcats and cougars:

Bobcats are smaller and lighter than cougars, with a body length of about 2-4 feet and weighing around 11-35 pounds. They have a gray to brown coat, a whiskered face, and a short black-tipped tail. Cougars, on the other hand, can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh between 66 and 187 pounds. They have an orange-brown to yellow-brown coat, a slender body, a rounded head, and a long cylindrical dark-tipped tail.

Both bobcats and cougars are nocturnal and solitary animals, but they have different hunting behaviors. Bobcats are ambush predators, while cougars stalk and ambush their prey.