Head to head
Bobcat vs Eurasian Lynx
The bobcat is a lynx — one of four species in the genus Lynx — so "bobcat vs lynx" usually means the bobcat against its bigger northern relatives, the Canada lynx and the Eurasian lynx. The Eurasian lynx is the giant of the group; the bobcat is the small, adaptable generalist.
| Bobcat | Eurasian Lynx | |
|---|---|---|
| Genus | Lynx rufus | Lynx lynx |
| Weight | 6–18 kg | 18–30 kg, occasionally more |
| Range | Southern Canada, most of the US, Mexico | Western Europe across to Siberia and the Himalayas |
| Main prey | Rabbits, rodents, birds; sometimes deer | Roe deer and other small deer; hares |
| Feet | Moderate; not a deep-snow specialist | Large, furred; good on snow |
| Tail tip | Black on top, white underneath | Fully black-tipped |
| Numbers | Low millions, stable or rising | Around 60,000–70,000 |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern (some populations reintroduced) |
Bobcat vs Lynx: common questions
Is a bobcat the same as a lynx?
A bobcat is one of the four species of lynx, alongside the Canada lynx, the Eurasian lynx, and the Iberian lynx. So it is a lynx, but it is the smallest and least snow-adapted of them, with smaller feet, a spottier coat, and a shorter tail.
How can you tell a bobcat from a Canada lynx?
The Canada lynx has huge furry "snowshoe" paws, longer legs, thick grey fur, very long black ear tufts, and a completely black tail tip, and it specialises on snowshoe hares. A bobcat has smaller feet, a tawnier, spottier coat, shorter tufts, and a tail that is black only on the upper side of the tip.
Which is more dangerous to humans?
Neither is a meaningful danger. Both are shy and avoid people, and unprovoked attacks are extremely rare and almost always involve a sick animal. The Eurasian lynx is large enough to take a small deer but has no history of preying on people.