M. Delibes et al., SEASONAL FOOD-HABITS OF BOBCATS (LYNX RUFUS) IN SUBTROPICAL BAJA-CALIFORNIA-SUR, MEXICO, Canadian journal of zoology, 75(3), 1997, pp. 478-483
The annual and seasonal diet of the bobcat (Lynx rufus) was determined
from analysis of 188 feces in the Cape region of Baja California, Mex
ico, an arid zone with numerous subtropical elements in its flora and
fauna. Bobcats fed mainly on lagomorphs, which reached 74% of occurren
ce, followed by rodents (40%), reptiles (15%), and birds (12%). No sea
sonal variations were observed. The results were consistent with those
of studies elsewhere, indicating that bobcats still rely upon lagomor
phs for much of their food in southern latitudes. This supports the hy
pothesis that lynx have evolved to prey on hares and rabbits. The prev
alence of reptiles as prey of bobcats in our study area was the highes
t ever reported. They were reported as bobcat prey in only 1 of 20 stu
dies from north of latitude 40 degrees, but in 14 of the 18 studies ca
rried out south of this latitude. With regard to feeding on reptiles,
the habits of bobcats in Baja California Sur resemble those of other s
imilar-sized felids in tropical areas, such as ocelots (Felis pardalis
) and servals (Leptailurus serval).