Bobcat or lynx? Not even the experts are certain

[Thomas D'Arcy McGee]

Bobcat or lynx? Not even the experts are certain

ht tps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bobcat-or-lynx-not-even-the-experts-are-certain-1.5002926

But when it comes to science, misclassification can negatively impact management and conservation decisions.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Bobynx maybe?

 

[RRH.01]

The white under the tail makes me thing its a really lightly spotted bobcat.

 

[trebor2880]

If it's a bobcat, it has lynx ears.

 

[Suther]

If it's a bobcat, it has lynx ears.

Its front paw looks pretty small for a lynx, but I can certainly see where the article is coming from - without good pictures of the right features they're super hard to tell apart. I certainly wouldn't be putting money on what it is.

 

[kamlooky]

Bolynn?
Sporting features of both.
Hycat?

 

[Grizzly Adams]

DNA should tell the tale.

Grizz

 

[RRH.01]

If it's a bobcat, it has lynx ears.

Bobcats have ear tufts too. The white/black tail is a dead giveaway, lynx are solid black. i agree with Suther, the paws are very small to be a lynx. Too my eyes it was obvious pretty quick.
Bobcat, note the black and white tail color and size of the tufts.

Op "Mystery Cat", every defining feature matches, similar sized tufts, tail coloration and paw size.

Lynx, long tufts, solid black tail, huge paws. Every defining feature is off

 

[Suther]

DNA should tell the tale.

Grizz

It certainly would. However, I don't know of any way to extract DNA from a photograph so that's not going to get us very far this time...

That mystery cat looks too orange for a lynx IMO, but it's hard to say for sure.

 

[RRH.01]

.....

 

[TomExAF]

I followed related lynx (couldn't resist) and saw these photos capturing a cat in flight.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/bobcat-photos-new-brunswick-1.4491955

 

[BlazinDayz]

Likely just a hybrid. Not unheard of in the wild. But rare for these two species.

 

[King0265]

Jinxy!!!! Please PM me and return my beloved cat!

 

[RRH.01]

What are you guys seeing that would or would not be on a normal lynx or bobcat suggesting its a hybrid? Nothing really "lynx-y". If you think ear tufts, you just havnt shot opr seen enough bobcats.

 

[Big Bad]

I ain't so stupid after all. I was thinking I would only hazard a guess after seeing the thing's tracks, and that's what the article suggests- identification using the foot size, a lynk having broader snowshoe feet.

 

[Got Juice?]

looks like a lynx and a maine coon cat offspring?

 

[Suther]

What are you guys seeing that would or would not be on a normal lynx or bobcat suggesting its a hybrid? Nothing really "lynx-y". If you think ear tufts, you just havnt shot opr seen enough bobcats.

Hybrid is such a cop-out answer lol

They say not unheard of in the wild, but without DNA evidence or a couple of captive kitties getting it on how would you know it's a hybrid in the wild and not just a lynx that looks a lot like a bobcat or visa versa?

 

[kamlooky]

Hybrid is such a cop-out answer lol

They say not unheard of in the wild, but without DNA evidence or a couple of captive kitties getting it on how would you know it's a hybrid in the wild and not just a lynx that looks a lot like a bobcat or visa versa?

Ahhh yesth, the fence sqwatterzs…………………………………….

 

[BlackRam]

Bobcat, although it looks like a younger cat and does not have a great coat on it. Kind of scruffy.
Lynx tails do not have the white on them, their feet are much bigger and the ear and cheek tufts are more pronounced.
You will also not find spots on an adult lynx.

 

[billdick]

Starving bobcat