Bobcat Spotted at KOP!
On June 24, 2024, an eagle-eyed hiker spotted a bobcat at Kaweah Oaks Preserve. Although California has anywhere from 70,000 to 100,000 bobcats within its borders, you don't necessarily expect to see one when you're out and about in Exeter. Fortunately, you can protect yourself and your loved ones with a few commonsense precautions.
Bobcats in Tulare County
Bobcats (scientific name Lynx rufus) thrive in several habitats, including forests, deserts and areas filled with low vegetation. They especially enjoy hiding in bushes and tall grasses, so it's not unusual to see bobcats frolicking along river banks in the Golden State. Bobcats also use logs, rocks and stumps to build their dens, so you may encounter one at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The thought of seeing a bobcat in the wild is a bit scary, but these creatures are about 75% smaller than mountain lions, so it's easy to tell them apart. Adults usually weigh 12 to 25 pounds, with female bobcats weighing less than male bobcats. If you see a large cat and aren't sure what it is, look at the ears and face. Bobcats have pointed ears with short tufts of hair sticking out of them. You may also see white dots on the back of the cat's ears.
Bobcats occasionally consume grass, but they prefer to eat meat. If you encounter a bobcat, you may see it stalking raccoons, baby deer, porcupines or wood rats. Even frogs and reptiles aren't safe from the bobcat's highly developed prey drive.
Recommended Safety Measures
If you encounter a bobcat on one of your adventures, avoid bending or crouching. Getting low to the ground makes it look as if you're a small deer or another type of prey, increasing the risk of an attack. It's also important to back away rather than turning your back on the bobcat. If you back away, you can keep the animal in your line of sight at all times.
Finally, wave your arms around, raise your voice or do whatever else you can to convince the bobcat that you're more of a danger to it than it is to you. If necessary, throw rocks or sticks near the animal — without hitting it — to scare it away.
In most cases, bobcats see human as a threat, so they're likely to run away as soon as you make a little noise. That said, you should still do everything in your power to avoid attracting bobcats. For example, if you bring a snack on your hike, put your trash in your backpack and throw it away at home. Apple cores, fruit rinds and other food scraps can attract bobcats and other creatures to the area, making it more likely that you'll have a scary encounter.
Enjoying Nature in Exeter and Beyond
Kaweah Oaks Preserve in Exeter and Dry Creek Preserve in Woodlake are both open to the public daily from dawn to dusk. If you plan to spend time at either preserve, be sure to keep an eye out for bobcats and other large mammals. By taking a few simple precautions, it's possible to enjoy nature without putting your safety at risk.
Video credits to Starr Shockley from Facebook.
