Quck answer
There are six wild cat species that can still be found in the United States: bobcats, cougars, jaguars, ocelots, lynx, and the elusive jaguarundi. These cats can be found in various habitats, from mountains and forests to deserts and swamps. While some species, like the cougar, have a relatively stable population, others, like the jaguar and jaguarundi, are endangered and face threats from habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. Conservation efforts, such as protecting habitats and regulating hunting and trafficking, are crucial in ensuring the survival of these majestic creatures.
Wild Animals
Mountain lions (Felis concolor) are considered as ghosts of the desert as they are solitary wanderers and are rarely, if ever, seen by humans or their prey. Francis Apesteguy/Getty Images
In 2017, a piece was published on my local news channel website titled “TIMELINE: This week’s San Francisco mountain lion sightings.” Although the article explicitly stated that such sightings were typically very rare, it was a little unsettling to think that even a single sighting could occur in a bustling metropolis like San Francisco.
However, the truth is that as technologically advanced and digitally obsessed as our cities are, we are all just visitors in the wild spaces on which this country was built. “Many Americans do not realize that even today we share our landscapes with wild cats,” says Shari Wilcox, Ph.D., Texas Representative for national conservation organization Defenders of Wildlife in an email interview. “From the remote stretches of Arizona where the jaguar still prowls to bobcats lounging poolside in suburban backyards; from cougars who pass before the Hollywood sign each night in Los Angeles to lynxes who bound down ski slopes. We share these spaces with wild cats across the U.S., and we have a responsibility to our feline neighbors to share these landscapes responsibly so that they have access to habitat, prey, and mates so that they may survive and thrive.”
Here are six species of wild cats that still inhabit the U.S.:
1. Canadian Lynx (Lynx canadensis)
Looks like: Similar in appearance to a bobcat: long ear tufts, short, bobbed tail with a completely black tip, large paws, and long hind legs.
Found in: Mostly only in northern states along the Canadian border or in mountainous regions.
Endangered in the U.S.? Not listed, which means it is an abundant and wide-ranging species.
Fun Fact: The Canada lynx makes sounds similar to those of a domestic cat: It can purr, meow, hiss, growl, and shriek.
The Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis).
Wikimedia Commons (CC By-SA 3.0)/Michael Zahra
2. Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
Looks like: Large ears, short tail, brown fur with black spots.
Found in: All parts of the U.S. except for certain parts of the Midwest. The bobcat can live in forests, deserts, mountains, swamps, and farmland.
Endangered in the U.S.? Not listed, which means it is an abundant and wide-ranging species.
Fun fact: “Bobcats are incredibly resourceful and have a widely varied diet depending upon the food sources near them,” says Susan Bass, director of public relations at Big Cat Rescue. “Northern bobcats are stockier and have thicker coats in order to endure cold temperatures.”
The bobcat (Lynx rufus).
John Moore/Getty Images
3. Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
Looks like: Light yellow to reddish-gray fur with dark spots and stripes and rings of dark fur around the tail.
Found in: Currently found only in extreme southern Texas.
Endangered? Yes.
Fun Fact: Ocelot kittens are born blind — after about a month, their eyes finally open, and they start to develop different colors on their fur.
The article highlights six species of wild cats that can still be found in the United States. The mountain lion, also known as the cougar or puma, can be found in 14 western states and Florida, with adult males weighing up to 150 pounds. The jaguar, with its compact body and yellow/tan coat, used to inhabit the US but is now almost completely eliminated. The jaguarundi, which looks similar to a weasel, can be found in Southern Texas and Arizona. The article also includes information on the ocelot, bobcat, and Canadian lynx. Tigers do not roam free in the US and are facing habitat loss globally, with 96% of their habitat gone in the last century. The article also includes FAQs about wild cats, including the number of species worldwide and which states are home to cougars.
FAQ
1. What are the 6 wild cats still found in the U.S.?
The 6 wild cats still found in the U.S. are: bobcats, cougars, jaguars, ocelots, lynx, and the elusive Florida panther.
2. Where are these wild cats typically found?
These wild cats are typically found in various regions across the U.S. For example, bobcats can be found in almost every state, while cougars are mostly found in the western U.S. and Florida panthers are only found in southern Florida.
3. Are these wild cats endangered?
Yes, some of these wild cats are endangered. For example, Florida panthers are critically endangered with only about 200 left in the wild, while jaguars and ocelots are considered near threatened.
4. What do these wild cats eat?
These wild cats are carnivores and generally eat a variety of prey including birds, rodents, deer, and other small mammals.
5. Can these wild cats be kept as pets?
No, it is not legal to keep these wild cats as pets in the U.S. They are wild animals and need to be treated as such.
6. How do these wild cats differ from domestic cats?
These wild cats differ from domestic cats in many ways, including their size, behavior, and hunting instincts. Wild cats are larger and have different hunting skills than domestic cats.
7. Have these wild cats ever attacked humans?
While attacks on humans are rare, it is not unheard of. Cougars have been known to attack humans, and there have been incidents of bobcats attacking humans and pets as well.
8. What should you do if you encounter a wild cat?
If you encounter a wild cat, it is important to stay calm and keep your distance. Do not approach or try to pet the cat. If the cat appears to be sick or injured, contact local wildlife officials.
9. Why are these wild cats important to the ecosystem?
These wild cats play an important role in the ecosystem by controlling populations of prey species. They also help maintain the balance of the food chain and contribute to the overall health of the ecosystem.
10. What is being done to protect these wild cats?
Various conservation efforts are being made to protect these wild cats, including habitat conservation, captive breeding programs, and anti-poaching laws. Organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and the National Wildlife Federation are also working to protect these species and their habitats.
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