In general, dogs and cats don’t make the best of friends. When it comes to sharing a territory, like bobcats and coyotes do, these two species may become sworn adversaries.
However, in a battle, who would prevail?
Coyotes and bobcats would have almost equal odds of emerging victorious in a one-on-one. Bobcats have extremely sharp claws, which coyotes lack, yet coyotes are bigger, stronger, and quicker than them. In addition to being more nimble than other cats, bobcats can also climb trees. A lone bobcat, however, would not have a chance against a group of coyotes.
The following table provides a brief comparison and highlights the key variations between coyote vs bobcat*.
| Characteristic | Coyote | Bobcat |
|---|---|---|
| Paw size | 2 x 2.5 inches | 1.5 x 1.37 inches |
| Weight | 20 to 50 pounds | 11 to 30 pounds |
| Speed | 43 mph | 30 mph |
| Teeth length | 1.45 inches | Approx. 1 inch |
| Bite force | 727 PSI | 827 PSI |
| Strike force | Up to 2,150 lb.-ft./s | Up to 900 lb.-ft./s |
| Behavior | Social; aggressive | Solitary; aggressive |
| Diet | Omnivore | Strictly carnivore |
| Habitat | North & Central America | North & Central America |
| Conservation status | Least concern | Least concern |
*We took into consideration the species Lynx rufus (bobcat) and Canis latrans (coyote) for comparison’s sake. While certain subspecies of the aforementioned species of coyotes and bobcats may exhibit somewhat different characteristics, these averages correspond to the majority of these animals.
The maximum weight of each species multiplied by the maximum speed shown in the table was used to compute the strike forces.
Key Differences And Similarities Between Coyotes And Bobcats:
1. Body size
The body length and height are two of the primary distinctions between coyote vs bobcat.
Coyotes measure an average of 3.3 to 4.3 feet from the tip of their tail to the base of their skull, making them bigger than bobcats. At the shoulder, coyotes stand around 24 inches tall.
The normal length of a bobcat is between 2.3 and 3.08 feet, though they can occasionally grow as long as 4 feet. It is frequently two to three times larger than the average domestic cat.
The shoulder height of a bobcat is around 10 inches shorter than that of a coyote, which is about 15 inches.
Coyotes benefit from several advantages in the battlefield because to their size differential. But bobcats aren’t without their tricks under their sleeves. To learn how they could defeat a coyote, continue reading.
2. Paw size
It is not surprising that coyote vs bobcat have different paw sizes because larger bodies often correspond with larger paws.
The dimensions of a coyote’s paws are roughly two by two and a half inches, exact measurements. Because wolf paws are almost twice as big as coyote paws, it is simple to distinguish between coyote and grey wolf trails in the wild.
Bobcats’ paws are smaller, measuring around 1.5 inches by 1.37 inches.
From an aesthetic perspective, the paw prints of bobcats and cougars are comparatively round. Because they, like the majority of felines, have retractable claws, bobcats and mountain lions likewise don’t leave any trace of their claws.
The paw prints of coyotes are longer and narrower in breadth. Because coyotes lack retractable claws, like all canids, their claws—which are often dull and mostly useless in a fight—are also visible in their footprints on the ground.
3. Weight
Because larger bodies are often associated with higher body masses, coyotes have an additional advantage in terms of bulk due to their size.
Coyotes range in weight from 20 to 50 pounds on average. In contrast, bobcats, who weigh between 11 and 30 pounds, are roughly twice as light.
This does not imply that coyotes weigh the same, though. In fact, scientists found that the average weight of contemporary coyotes is more likely to be in the range of 15 to 46 pounds.
However, bobcats may reach more than thirty pounds, even though contemporary coyotes are frequently lighter and smaller. In actuality, men frequently get bigger, gaining up to 35 pounds in weight.
Because of this, a large number of coyotes may weigh the same as bobcats and be around the same size.
4. Speed
When it comes to speed, coyotes always have the upper hand if bobcats and coyotes may be almost the same size and weight.
They are actually capable of sprinting up to 43 mph. Although they can only travel up to a peak speed of around 30 miles per hour, bobcats are still rather swift in comparison to coyotes.
Coyotes have an edge due to their combined weight and speed, which allows them to maximize the power of impact.
5. Teeth length
It is hardly surprising that coyotes have longer teeth than bobcats. Although there aren’t many studies on the length of coyotes’ and bobcats’ teeth, researchers at Eastern Illinois University examine coyotes’ teeth to identify changes in their dental and physiological health as they age.
According to this study, coyotes’ canines are roughly 1.45 inches in length.
A related study was conducted on bobcats, although this time it focused on tooth eruption as opposed to aging.
Researchers have shown that bobcats begin to lose their deciduous dentition and gain permanent teeth between the ages of 16 and 19 weeks. They have permanent teeth that are around an inch long.
Coyote vs bobcat both have sharp canines, although bobcats often have sharper teeth.
6. Bite force
One of the most common misconceptions concerning coyote vs bobcat is that because of their larger size, coyotes have stronger bites.
But bobcats really have an advantage when it comes to bite force.
According to a study on the relative bite forces of large biting animals, coyotes have a bite force quotient (BFQ) of 88. On the other hand, bobcats’ BFQ of 100 is more in line with that of some of the largest cats, such as lions (112) and cougars (108).
With a BFQ of 136, wolves are more similar to bobcats than coyotes in terms of comparison. The translation of the BFQ into pounds per square inch (PSI) becomes more intricate since it directly affects the animal’s total size as well as its mouth size. However, while biting, bobcats often manage to exert around 827 PSI. The biting force of coyotes is around 727 PSI.
7. Strike force
Despite being said, bobcats only have one bite, which may be harder than other cats. The coyotes win out again in terms of sheer strength.
Coyotes have an advantage over other animals in terms of strike force because of their size and speed, which have a direct impact on impact force. The real attack force of coyote vs bobcat is unknown, however it is simple to determine by multiplying the highest speed by weight.
The actual strike force varies from animal to animal and from situation to scenario, as you may have guessed.
8. Behavior
Both bobcat vs coyote are aggressive creatures. Coyotes, however, have an advantage due to the stark disparities in their behaviors.
The social behavior and organization here is the primary advantage. Coyotes live in groups and build ties with other coyotes despite being semi-solitary animals. Members of a pack typically travel together and may even feed together, depending on the availability of prey, even though they typically hunt or forage alone.
Bobcats, on the other hand, are lone animals. Only during the mating season can men and females interact, with each gender claiming its own territory.
A successful male typically has a vast home range (sometimes several miles in size) that overlaps with multiple females’ home ranges. A male’s territory may occasionally even touch on another male’s area.
The home ranges of females are smaller, and they do not overlap.
Bobcats typically have to fend for themselves against threats and possible predators as a result of these social distinctions. Members of the pack nearly usually support coyotes.
9. Diet
Although coyotes are primarily thought of as omnivores, they are also predators, with more than 80% of their diet coming from meat. They normally eat fruit, insects, and small mammals.
Coyotes can, however, also be scavengers and opportunists. Bobcats are swift hunters and only eat carnivores. Most bobcats hunt smaller prey, such as rabbits, squirrels, and other rodents, because of their lower stature.
They may, however, also hunt small deer, lambs, goats, chickens, and even household animals like cats and dogs.
Even though bobcats typically consume the prey they kill for food, they can also turn into scavengers when food is scarce. More frequently, coyote vs bobcat are at odds with one another due to scavenger behavior.
10. Habitat
Bobcats and coyotes frequently coexist in the same habitat. Their geographic distribution extends from Canada to Mexico, and both species are found throughout North and Central America.
Bobcats are hardy creatures that live in a variety of environments, including mountains, brushlands, semi-deserts, and woods.
Due to their remarkable adaptability, coyotes can live in grasslands, wetlands, woods, and deserts. They may also be found close to human settlements as a result of both habitat loss and opportunistic activity.
In a similar vein, bobcats may exploit human settlements to gain easy access to prey, such as pets and yard animals.
11. Conservation status
On the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, coyote vs bobcat are both listed as least concern.
Both coyotes and bobcats are huntable throughout the United States due to their large population. While state-by-state regulations and hunting seasons may differ, coyotes can typically be hunted year-round with just a general license.
At least in certain areas, the bobcat season is typically closed during the shotgun deer season. You should check the local regulations as there may be limitations on the real hunting season or days that are restricted.
Who Would Win Fight?
In a fight involving just one coyote vs bobcat, the odds of success would be nearly equal for both species.
Compared to bobcats, coyotes are bigger, quicker, and generally more strong. But frequently, their only benefit is speed.
Even though they move more slowly, bobcats are skilled climbers. They can climb a tree to get away from the coyote, or they can stalk it and surprise it with an assault. Additionally, bobcats have highly effective retractable claws that serve as reliable partners in a fight.
Due to their stronger fangs, bobcats have the ability to either outwit or force a coyote to retreat.
If the bobcat encounters a pack of coyotes, the situation is different. The coyotes are nearly always going to win in this situation.
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