Although not commonly used in fly tying, bobcat fur has some notable applications. It can be used on its own or blended with other furs to create a soft dubbing, serving as a substitute for rabbit fur.
The bobcat (Lynx rufus), also known as the red lynx, is a medium-sized wild cat native to North America, spanning from southern Canada through most of the contiguous United States to Oaxaca in Mexico. Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution and large population, the bobcat has proven to be adaptable despite extensive hunting for sport and fur.
This species is distinguished by its black bars on the forelegs and its black-tipped, stubby tail, which gives it its name. The bobcat typically reaches a length of up to 125 cm (50 inches) including the tail. It inhabits a variety of environments, including wooded areas, semi-deserts, urban edges, forest edges, and swamplands.
The bobcat’s coat is variable, generally tan to grayish-brown with black streaks and dark bars. Its spotted pattern provides camouflage. The ears are pointed and tipped with black, and the coat color ranges from light in desert regions to darker in northern forests. Some bobcats exhibit melanism, appearing black while still showing a spot pattern.
With a wide face framed by ruffs of hair, yellow eyes, and a pinkish-red nose, the bobcat is an excellent climber and can swim when necessary. It avoids water but is highly adept in other terrains. Adults range in length from 47.5 to 125 cm (18.7 to 49.2 inches), with an average length of 82.7 cm (32.6 inches), and have a tail measuring 9 to 20 cm (3.5 to 7.9 inches). They stand about 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches) at the shoulders.
Adult males weigh between 6.4 to 18.3 kg (14 to 40 lbs), averaging 9.6 kg (21 lbs), while females weigh between 4 to 15.3 kg (8.8 to 33.7 lbs), averaging 6.8 kg (15 lbs). The largest recorded bobcat weighed 22.2 kg (49 lbs), with unverified reports suggesting they can reach up to 27 kg (60 lbs). The bobcat’s size varies geographically, with larger individuals found in northern ranges and smaller ones in southern regions. At birth, bobcats weigh between 270 to 340 grams (9.5 to 12 ounces) and are about 25 cm (10 inches) long. By one year of age, they typically weigh around 4.5 kg (10 lbs).
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