About Bobcats

Thanks to a generous grant from the Nion Robert Thieriot Foundation, the MSPCA is happy to be able to offer informational pamphlets on avoiding conflicts with bobcats AT NO CHARGE to any Massachusetts municipality. Learn more on how to request these pamphlets.

Bobcats in Massachusetts

Bobcats are common in the central and western parts of the state but can also be found in the northeast and southeast. They are considered a furbearer species and may be hunted or trapped if in accordance with MassWildlife’s rules and regulations. Trapping devices are indiscriminate, meaning any animal, wild or domestic can be trapped, subsequently facing intense suffering and often death. The MSPCA opposes legislation that would expand trapping in Massachusetts.

Bobcats weigh between 15 and 35 pounds and are 28 to 47 inches long, twice the size of a domestic house cat. Although their paws are often misidentified as domestic cat paws, their bushy hair, short bobbed tail, and larger size make it fairly easy to distinguish them from domestic cats.

They breed from February to March and produce one litter each year in April or May, with an average litter size of two kittens. The mothers are the sole providers and nurse the kittens until they are two months old. They remain with their mothers until they are fully grown.

Bobcats are carnivores and prey primarily on rabbits, hares, squirrels, mice, muskrats, and birds, though they may prey on larger animals like deer if their food supply is scarce. They have a defined home range, which is identified through scent. They remain active year-round and prefer habitats with climbable trees, in which they rest, hide from predators, and hunt. They tend to be most mobile at dawn and dusk.

Possible Conflicts and Solutions 

Bobcats can be seen in suburbs and backyards. To avoid any conflicts with bobcats:

• Keep trash and compost secure and BBQ grills clean
• Keep bird feeder areas clean OR do not have bird feeders at all
• Place chickens in a secure pen or coop away from remote or wooded areas
• Feed companion animals indoors
• Close off crawl spaces under porches, decks, or the foundation

Fun Facts 

• Bobcats are the only wild cat in Massachusetts
• They are shy and solitary animals
• They can travel up to four miles daily
• Bobcats have retractable claws

Additional Resources

• Learn more about bobcats (MassWildlife)
• Bobcat hunting regulations (MassWildlife)
• Trapping regulations (MassWildlife)

Articles in the news 

• Bobcat in West Bridgewater, April 2024
• Bobcats in Massachusetts, March 2024