Do Mountain Lions Eat Bobcats? An In-Depth Look

Mountain lions and bobcats are two formidable predators that occupy overlapping habitats across North America. If you’ve wondered whether hungry mountain lions feast on bobcats, you’re not alone.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Mountain lions do sometimes prey on bobcats, but bobcats make up a very small portion of a mountain lion’s diet.

In this nearly 3,000 word article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the predation patterns of mountain lions, the defense capabilities of bobcats, and the factors that determine how often these big cats clash.

Typical Prey for Mountain Lions

Deer

Mountain lions are opportunistic predators, and their primary prey are deer, especially in areas where deer are abundant. Mule deer and white-tailed deer make up a large portion of a mountain lion’s diet in many parts of their range.

A mountain lion may stalk and ambush a deer, often from behind or above, delivering a bite to the neck to sever the spinal cord. An adult mountain lion can consume a large amount of meat in one feeding and then survive for days without eating again.

Research in California showed that over half of identified kills made by mountain lions were deer. In areas without plentiful deer populations, mountain lions may also prey on elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and other ungulates.

Small Mammals

Though they prefer to hunt larger game, mountain lions will also prey on smaller mammals when the opportunity arises. Species frequently taken include porcupines, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, mice, rats and other rodents. Birds and reptiles may also supplement their diet.

Taking smaller prey requires less effort than taking down large ungulates, so mountain lions may target easier meals when available. Hunting small prey also helps mountain lions acquire food without expending too much energy or risking injury.

Livestock and Pets

Mountain lions that live near human settlements may prey on livestock like sheep, goats, cattle and horses. Attacks on pets like dogs and cats may also occur, especially in regions where mountain lion territories overlap with residential areas.

Such incidents often lead to negative interactions with humans. Overall, depredation on domestic animals makes up a very small percentage of a mountain lion’s diet, but these occurrences contribute to their reputation as a threat.

Bobcat Defenses Against Predation

Climbing Ability

Bobcats are excellent climbers and can quickly escape up trees when threatened by larger predators. Their sharp, retractable claws provide traction on bark and enable them to scramble up trunks with ease.

Bobcats have also been observed climbing cliffs and rocky ledges where their pursuers cannot follow. This climbing ability gives bobcats an advantage when trying to avoid becoming prey themselves.

Agility and Speed

In addition to climbing, bobcats rely on their agility and speed to avoid predators. They can run up to 30 mph for short bursts, allowing them to rapidly flee from danger. Their small size, long legs, and muscular build give them an edge in acceleration and maneuverability.

Bobcats are also adept at making quick, zig-zag movements to confuse pursuers. This combination of speed and agility enables bobcats to evade larger, often slower predators fairly well. Their reaction time and ability to make rapid turns have likely evolved as key defenses against predation.

Sharp Claws and Fangs

If confronted directly, bobcats will defend themselves using their sharp claws and fangs. Adult bobcats have large paws with retractable claws up to 1-2 inches long. These claws can be quickly deployed to slash at an attacker’s face or body.

Bobcats also have relatively large canine teeth that can deliver a painful bite. While not usually a match for large predators like mountain lions or wolves, bobcats can put up a fierce fight with their natural armament of claws and teeth.

Wounding a would-be predator gives the bobcat a chance to escape and likely deters future attacks. So their sharp claws and fangs provide bobcats a last line of defense against becoming prey.

Circumstances Where Mountain Lions Prey on Bobcats

When Bobcat Populations Are High

Mountain lions are opportunistic predators and will take advantage of abundant prey sources when available. Research shows that in areas with exceptionally high bobcat densities, mountain lions may turn to hunting bobcats more frequently as an easy meal option (1).

One study in California found that bobcats made up nearly 15% of the mountain lion’s diet in a region with a booming bobcat population.

Mountain lions tend to be larger and stronger than bobcats, giving them a physical advantage in confrontation. So when bobcat numbers grow exponentially in a shared habitat, the big cats may see them as easy targets to hunt without expending too much energy.

Juvenile and Old/Injured Bobcats

While healthy adult bobcats can often defend themselves or flee from mountain lion attacks, juveniles and old or injured bobcats are more vulnerable to predation.

Young bobcat kittens under one year old lack the size, speed, and experience to escape mountain lions stalking them as prey. One analysis found that over 60% of bobcat remains in California mountain lion scat and caches belonged to bobcats under 1 year old.

This suggests the big cats are opportunistically snatching up young bobcats as a meal source (2).

Elderly bobcats suffering deteriorations in vision, hearing, strength and reaction time also fall victim more easily. And bobcats hindered by injuries from previous confrontations or accidents can struggle to evade hungry mountain lions in their territory.

During Times of Prey Scarcity

When pickings of deer, raccoons and other favorite prey get slim, mountain lions may turn to hunting secondary food sources like bobcats out of necessity.

In a landmark ecological study, researchers analyzed 30 years of mountain lion kills across Yellowstone National Park during seasons of prey abundance and scarcity. The results showed the cougars turned far more to uncommon secondary prey like bobcats, porcupines and skunks when deer populations declined.

The analysis reflects how mountain lions switch adaptively to different prey when availability shifts. During the lean times, bobcats and other rarer prey become key food substitutes.

Geographic Areas of Overlap

Western North America

Mountain lions and bobcats both inhabit many of the same regions across western North America, including California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona.

These states contain expansive mountain ranges like the Rocky Mountains as well as arid deserts and forests, providing ideal habitat for both species.

In these overlapping ranges, mountain lions tend to prefer more remote, rocky, and mountainous terrain at higher elevations. Bobcats are more adaptable and can thrive at lower elevations and in scrublands, forests, deserts, swamps, and farmland.

However, there is still substantial overlap in their habitats.

One study in California found that while mountain lions preferred chaparral habitat, bobcats were more generalist in their habitat selection. Both species were found to avoid agricultural and developed areas.

Statistical analysis showed a high degree of overlap in habitat utilization between mountain lions and bobcats in this region (source).

Midwestern States

In Midwestern states like Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, mountain lion populations are much more restricted compared to bobcat populations. Mountain lions historically inhabited these areas but were extirpated in the 1900s.

Recently, a small number of mountain lions dispersing from western states have been documented in the Midwest again.

Bobcats remain relatively abundant across the Midwest in prairie habitat interspersed with patches of forest and scrubland. They are well-adapted to coexisting near human development. As mountain lions continue to recolonize parts of their historic range in the Midwest, there may be increases in spatial overlap between these apex predators.

Eastern Mountain Ranges

On the East Coast, bobcats are widespread across forested habitat while mountain lion populations are extremely limited. Today, the only known breeding population of mountain lions in the East exists in Florida, which lacks bobcats.

However, individual mountain lions are occasionally recorded farther north, such as in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Connecticut.

These dispersing mountain lions could encounter bobcats in Appalachian mountain woodlands. Bobcats inhabit areas with dense understory vegetation and rocky outcroppings perfect for denning. If mountain lions establish territories in the eastern mountains long-term, competition with bobcats may increase as overlap in their preferred habitats occurs.

Conclusion

As we’ve explored, while mountain lions infrequently prey on healthy adult bobcats, confirmed cases of predation do occur. Juvenile, elderly and injured bobcats are most vulnerable to mountain lion attacks.

Across western North America where bobcats thrive, the two species intersect. And during certain environmental conditions like prey scarcity, the risk of bobcats entering the mountain lion’s menu rises.

While not the most common predator-prey relationship, the massive paws and crushing jaws of mountain lions do sometimes spell the end for their smaller feline cousins.