Bobcats are elusive creatures that prefer to hunt under the cover of darkness. But every so often, bobcat sightings occur in broad daylight. If you’re curious about bobcat behavior and want to know if they ever venture out while the sun’s up, read on for a deep dive into the activity patterns of these solitary cats.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Bobcats usually hunt at night, but they may be active during daylight hours if prey is abundant or they are disturbed.
Bobcats are Primarily Nocturnal Hunters
Bobcats are incredibly well-adapted for hunting at night. With their excellent vision and acute hearing, they can effectively track down prey in near total darkness. Here are some of the key reasons bobcats tend to be nocturnal hunters:
Bobcats are well-adapted to hunting at night with excellent vision and hearing
Bobcats have excellent night vision thanks to their large eyes and retina packed with rod cells. Their pupils can open very wide to let in more light, allowing them to see well even on moonless nights.
Their eyes also have a special reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum that bounces light back through the retina, essentially giving them night vision goggles! In addition, bobcats have amazing hearing and can pinpoint faint sounds from rodents scurrying through brush from over 100 feet away.
Their prey like rabbits and rodents are also mostly nocturnal
Since many of the bobcat’s prey animals like rabbits, mice, voles and squirrels are most active at night, it makes sense that’s when bobcats hunt them. Rabbits and hares do the majority of their feeding and mating under cover of darkness.
And small rodents like mice avoid daytime predators by sticking to the safety of their underground burrows and nests during daylight hours.
Bobcats spend most daylight hours resting in dens or under vegetation
Bobcats are hyper-carnivores that expend tremendous energy on hunting. After a long night of prowling and pouncing, they need to rest and conserve their strength. Bobcats typically spend the daylight hours sleeping and digesting in sheltered dens or dense thickets.
Their spotted coats provide great camouflage in dappled sunlight. Remaining hidden also reduces confrontations with larger daytime predators like coyotes, foxes and mountain lions.
Why Bobcats Sometimes Come Out During the Day
Abundant prey can lead bobcats to hunt whenever food is available
Bobcats are opportunistic hunters and will hunt whenever prey is abundant, even if that’s during the day. If rodents like squirrels, rats, and mice are active during daylight hours, bobcats may come out to feast on them.
A plentiful rabbit population can also entice bobcats to hunt more frequently, including when the sun is up. Essentially, if the hunting is good, bobcats will seize the opportunity to eat, no matter the time of day.
Humans encroaching on their territory may cause them to be active in daylight
As human development expands into bobcat habitats, the bobcats are losing their natural nighttime hunting grounds. Their normal nocturnal routines are being disrupted, forcing some bobcats to hunt during daylight instead.
Urban bobcats in particular have adapted to being active during the day, when there is less human commotion. While not ideal, daytime hunting allows bobcats to survive near humans.
Young bobcats learning to hunt may not be strictly nocturnal yet
Bobcat kittens will stay with their mother for nearly a year, learning her hunting techniques. Young bobcats may not strictly follow nocturnal activity while developing their skills. They may be out and about attempting to hunt during the daytime, especially in the early morning and evenings.
Kitten antics combined with trial-and-error learning can lead them to break their species’ usual nighttime routine.
Adverse weather like heavy rains may drive them to hunt during the day
Bobcats generally try to avoid getting soaked to the skin, as staying dry helps them retain body heat. Heavy rains or flooding may force bobcats to alter their normal hunting schedule. If a rainy night makes good nocturnal hunting impossible, bobcats may wait out the weather during the night.
When the rain stops in the morning, they may then go out to hunt during daylight hours instead. Bad weather can be a major motivator for bobcats to hunt whenever conditions improve, even if it’s daytime.
When are Bobcats Most Likely to be Active in Daylight?
Bobcats are generally nocturnal and crepuscular animals, which means they primarily hunt and travel at dusk, dawn, and during the nighttime when there is less sunlight. However, there are certain exceptions in which they may venture out in broad daylight.
Early morning and evening when the lighting is dimmer
Bobcats are most active at twilight during the particularly dim lighting of early dawn and early evening. The low light levels allow them blend into the shadows and makes it easier to ambush prey. While not fully daytime, this dim twilight period often provides bobcats the cover of darkness while still allowing them to see reasonably well, especially with their excellent low-light vision.
Overcast days when sunlight is weaker
Overcast days offer a sort of “twilight” effect throughout the day, with significantly reduced sunlight compared to sunny days. Much like early morning and evenings, the lower light levels allow bobcats to remain hidden while hunting.
According to a 2021 wildlife monitoring report, there was a 26% higher rate of bobcat daylight activity on overcast days compared to sunny days.
Areas with minimal human activity like remote forests
Bobcats that live in areas with low human population density, such as dense forests, are more likely to exhibit diurnal behaviors even on sunny days. With less human disruption, they can follow prey activity patterns without as much pressure to be strictly nocturnal.
Remote camera trap data from hundreds of sites in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains found bobcats were active about 38% of daylight hours in low human density habitat.
During mating season when they venture further for potential mates
The bobcat breeding season lasts from winter into early spring. Males increase their home ranges and daytime movements during this period as they roam more widely in search of breeding females. Females also range further once they have dependent young to feed.
Bobcats in general become more active in daylight as they take more risks traveling to find mates and prey during mating season from January through April.
Tips for Spotting a Bobcat During the Day
Search forest edges, rocky outcroppings, and meadows
Bobcats tend to hunt along the borders of wooded areas and open spaces like meadows, where they can easily spot potential prey while remaining camouflaged themselves. Inspect the edges of forests, as well as areas with rocky outcroppings or fallen logs that bobcats may use for stalking and cover.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, these transitional habitat zones tend to have more bobcat activity during daylight hours when they are actively hunting.
Listen for alarm calls of birds or rodents
If you hear the alarmed chirping of birds or the warning squeals of rodents, it may indicate a bobcat is present and has put them on high alert. These animals often sound alarm calls to notify others of a potential predator nearby.
Pay attention to these audio cues when exploring natural areas, as they can tip you off to a bobcat that may be difficult to initially spot visually.
Look for dens hidden in brush, rock crevices, or hollow trees
In addition to hunting grounds, scout for potential bobcat dens in thick underbrush, gaps in rock formations, or the hollows of old trees. These reclusive cats tend to rest in well-hidden lairs during the daytime when not actively chasing prey.
Approach suspected dens quietly and watch patiently from a distance, as an adult bobcat may emerge at some point to patrol its territory or care for young kittens if the den is active.
Use binoculars and stand still if you spot one – sudden movements may scare them off
If you spot a bobcat in the distance, use binoculars for a better view rather than immediately approaching closer. Bobcats have sharp vision and hearing, but may allow quiet observation from afar. However, quick movements or loud noises may startle them and cause them to flee.
Stand perfectly still if a bobcat is nearby according to San Diego Zoo officials, avoiding direct eye contact but continuing to quietly observe its magnificent spotted coat and stealth movements.
National Wildlife Federation and San Diego Zoo provide great information on understanding bobcat behavior better while trying to spot these elusive wild cats out in nature.
Conclusion
While bobcats are most active at night when they are designed to hunt best, don’t be surprised if you catch a glimpse of one during daylight hours. Their ability to adapt allows them to venture out opportunistically whenever prey abounds.
With bobcat habitats shrinking, daytime sightings may become more common as they adjust to human encroachment. If you’re lucky enough to cross paths with a bobcat in the wild, appreciate the rare privilege of observing these beautiful creatures that are seldom seen, whether it’s night or day.
