Lynx Vs Bobcat(15 Best Differences)

Bobcats and Canada lynxes are related species that may live in the same habitat.

You might be curious in knowing how to distinguish between wild cat footprints and large cat sightings.

Compared to bobcats, lynxes are higher and have duller fur with sparse black markings. Their ears are wider and have long, black tufts, and their facial ruffs are longer. Bobcats have shorter hind legs and a more compressed physique. Because of their long rear legs, lynxes might have an arched back. Although both species make claw prints, lynx footprints are more oval-shaped than bobcat tracks, which are round.

A comparison between Canada lynx vs bobcat* is displayed in the table below:

Characteristics	Lynx	Bobcat
Classification	Lynx canadensis	Lynx rufus
Geographic range	Canada, USA	USA, Mexico
Location	Scrub forests, tundra, woods, and deserts	landscapes that include grasslands, savannas, mountains, dunes, and forests
Appearance	Fur that is grey, rusty, brown, or yellow-brown. Tail ringed and short. legs that are longer in the back than the front relative to body size. Seldom seen. prominent ear tufts in black color.	Black tips to the ears and tail, patterns ranging from subtle to obvious, and various colors of buff and brown. smaller than lynxes in terms of body size and ear tufts.
Body size	2.6 to 4 feet; 24 inches tall	2.3 to 4 feet; 15 inches tall
Paw size	3.5 to 5 inches	2.25 inches
Track appearance	Oval	Round
Weight	20 to 44 pounds	11 to 30 pounds
Speed	50 mph	30 mph
Teeth length	Approx. 1 inch	Approx. 1 inch
Bite force	636 PSI	827 PSI
Strike force	Up to 2,200 lb.-ft./s	Up to 900 lb.-ft./s
Behavior	Solitary; aggressive	Solitary; aggressive
Diet	Strictly carnivore	Strictly carnivore
Conservation status	Least concern	Least concern

*We only took into account the Lynx canadensis species, which has the same geographic ranges and habitats as bobcats, for comparison’s sake. Two further lynx species can be found in Europe and Asia: the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) and the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). These animals might have varying versions of the aforementioned traits.

The sources of all the information in the table included almanacs, scientific journals, government publications, wildlife periodicals, and other official sources that were cited in the article. The highest speed listed in the chart was multiplied by the heaviest weight to determine the strike forces.

Sea also: How High Can Bobcats Jump? 5 Best Comparison(with photos)

15 Differences Between Lynx Vs Bobcat:

1. Classification 

In addition to having a similar appearance, bobcats and lynxes are in the same genus.

The lynx genus has four distinct species: the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), and bobcats (Lynx rufus).

Despite significant variances in size and coat color, all of these species are closely related.

The only animal that can coexist in the same environment as bobcats is the Canada lynx, which is how we compared bobcats in this article.

2. Geographic Range

Although they can coexist in the same habitats, lynx vs bobcat have rather diverse geographic ranges.

As its name implies, Canada lynxes can be found all over the country. Nonetheless, their geographical range broadens to include western Montana, Idaho, and portions of Washington in the United States.

In addition, there may be small populations in Utah, Wyoming, and Oregon.

North American bobcats can be found all over the continent, ranging from southern Canada to southern Mexico. The United States has the higher density, primarily in the southeastern rather than the western regions.

But bobcats are found all around the United States of America.

3. Habitat 

Bobcats are adaptable animals that can live in many different types of environments. Scrublands, coastal wetlands, deserts, and mixed and boreal coniferous forests are among their habitats.

Bobcats inhabit grasslands and savannas in the southern states. Although they can adapt too, lynxes like fewer types of environments.

Their natural habitat is full-canopy boreal forests, though they are usually found in younger, mixed woods with dense undergrowth where they can hunt small game. Furthermore, lynxes are present in the far north’s tundra and desert areas.

4. Appearance 

The main difference between lynx vs bobcat is how they look.

Despite being roughly twice as large as average tabby house cats, bobcats share many of the same physical traits. Their bodies are small, with strong paws and legs, and nearly straight backs.

The head, back, and paws of these cats can have colors ranging from buff to brown due to their short, dense coats. Under the chin, belly, and tail—which has a black tip—the hue fades to white.

Although they lack tufts on their claws, bobcats have very short ear tufts and face ruffs. The level of fur patches or stripes varies from almost invisible to completely black.

In contrast to bobcats, lynxes are awkward-looking animals. They are significantly higher than bobcats, but around the same length. The larger legs make the cat appear out of proportion and less graceful than other cats.

A lynx’s back seems arched due to the fact that its hind legs are longer than its front ones. The hues of coats range from rusty to yellowish-brown with a hint of grey. There may be markings, although they are much fainter than with bobcats.

Living in colder climates, lynxes have large feet that help them gain better traction on snow. In addition, they have larger face ruffs, longer ears, and lengthier paw and ear tufts.

5. Body Size

As previously established, bobcats and Canada lynxes can reach similar lengths, typically reaching four feet. However, lynxes are substantially higher and appear larger than bobcats due to their longer legs.

They usually grow to a shoulder height of around 24 inches, which is comparable to the height of a coyote. Bobcats often stand 14 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder.

It should be mentioned that although bobcats can reach a maximum length of four feet, the majority of them are typically between two and two and a half feet long.

6. Paw Size

Since lynxes are a kind of wild cat that inhabits cold climates, they have adapted to their surroundings. One of these adaptations is their huge paws, which range in size from three to five inches.

Although they are adapted to dwell in temperate climates, bobcats may survive in cold climates. Compared to lynxes, they have paws that are smaller, measuring around 2.25 inches across.

7. Track Appearance

Lynxes have larger paws that are fashioned like a sort of fan, wider at the toe area and narrower at the heel. This is a significant difference when attempting to distinguish lynxes from bobcats based on tracks.

Bobcats have spherical footprints that resemble those of most other cats, such as house cats and mountain lions.

Since claw impressions are not visible in paw prints, neither lynx vs bobcat have retractable claws.

8. Weight 

Although lynxes and bobcats are both strong animals, bobcats are larger.

A lynx’s weight ranges from 20 to 44 pounds. Bobcats weigh between 11 and 30 pounds, and because they are smaller, they are lighter.

9. Speed 

As far as strength and abilities are concerned, speed is another advantage for lynxes. They can go at up to 50 miles per hour, while living in harsh environments with a lot of snow.

Bobcats, on the other hand, are limited to a top speed of thirty miles per hour. While not quick enough to elude possible predators, this is nevertheless quick enough to capture prey.

10. Teeth Length 

The two cats are similar in that they have canine teeth that can grow to be nearly an inch long.

Given that both mountain lions and bobcats, which are much larger than each other, have canine teeth that range in length from 1.5 to 2.25 inches, it is reasonable to conclude that these two wild cat species have rather long fangs relative to their size.

11. Bite Force

Despite being bigger, lynxes bite with less force than bobcats—roughly 636 PSI as opposed to 827 PSI for bobcats.

Scientists believe that this variation is caused by the various skull structures and forms. Compared to shorter skulls, like those of bobcats, lynxes appear to have longer skulls that exhibit less relative bite force.

But that does not mean that lynxes bite with insufficient force. To put things in perspective, the bite force of an African lion is 650 PSI.

12. Strike Force

There are no research that show the true attack force of lynx vs bobcat, in contrast to the teeth lengths and bite forces that were established experimentally.

Nevertheless, body mass multiplied by impact speed at the point of impact makes calculating the impact force simple.

We took into account the highest weight and fastest speed for every species in order to make comparisons. As a result, lynxes can have a strength that is roughly twice that of bobcats.

But not every bobcat is that feeble, and not every lynx is that strong. In a fight, the chances can be in any species’ favor based on the real weight and speed at the time of impact.

13. Behavior 

Both bobcats and lynxes are solitary creatures, as they are wild cats. Males and females have different home ranges and only come together during the breeding season.

The female territories in both species might occasionally overlap. Male territories, on the other hand, do not overlap, and they occasionally engage in combat over the home range.

Conflicts between lynx vs bobcat over territory can also lead to fights.

Despite their agility in climbing, both cat species are mostly terrestrial and nocturnal. Sometimes, in order to teach their young how to catch prey, female lynxes may hunt alongside their offspring.

14. Diet

Like other wild cats, lynx vs bobcat are carnivores only. Though they are also scavengers, both species often hunt on small mammals. In addition, fish, birds, and reptiles are among their diet.

Lynxes go from eating small mammals to giant ungulates in the fall and winter, presumably in an effort to obtain more food and preserve energy.

In addition to occasionally consuming small ungulates, bobcats can also prey on cattle, poultry, and even pets due to their close proximity to populated areas.

15. Conservation Status

The IUCN states that there is no threat to the steady populations of lynx vs bobcat.

Biologists, however, could think otherwise. Less than 50 Canada lynxes remain in the wild, making them very endangered, according to Conservation Northwest.

Who Would Win A Fight?

It’s difficult to draw a precise distinction between bobcat and lynx strength. Physically, lynxes are stronger, quicker, and taller than bobcats. But the bobcat’s bite is more powerful.

The real size of both fighters and whether the bobcat could actually bite the lynx would determine who prevailed in the altercation.