Head to head
Jaguarundi vs Bobcat
The jaguarundi and bobcat both occupy parts of the southern United States, but one has a body shape so unusual for a wild cat that it barely looks the part, while the other is the classic, widespread North American wildcat silhouette.
| Jaguarundi | Bobcat | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Herpailurus yagouaroundi | Lynx rufus |
| Body shape | Long, low, weasel-like | Typical compact wild cat build |
| US abundance | Extremely rare, possibly extirpated | Most abundant wild cat in North America |
| Activity pattern | Notably active during the day | Crepuscular and secretive |
| Ear shape | Small and rounded | Tufted |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Stable |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Jaguarundi vs Bobcat: common questions
Why does the jaguarundi look so different from the bobcat?
The jaguarundi has a distinctively long, low body, short legs, and small rounded ears, an appearance so unusual for a wild cat that it is often mistaken for a weasel or otter, quite different from the bobcat's more typical compact wild cat build with a bobbed tail and tufted ears.
Which of these two cats is more common in the United States?
The bobcat is vastly more common, ranking as the most abundant wild cat in North America and found across nearly the entire contiguous United States, while the jaguarundi is considered extremely rare to possibly extirpated within the country, surviving mainly farther south in Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Are both the jaguarundi and bobcat active at the same time of day?
No, the jaguarundi is notably active during daylight hours, a behaviour pattern quite different from most other wild cats, while the bobcat is crepuscular and secretive, hunting mainly around dawn and dusk and generally avoiding activity during full daylight.