The bobcat is a relatively large cat with gray to reddish fur, spotted with brown or black. They are larger than domestic cats but much smaller than mountain lions. Bobcats can utilize just about any habitat and may be found throughout the entire state. Suitable habitats consist of large areas of broken, rough, rocky terrain supporting brushy deciduous and conifer forests or chaparral, adjacent to smaller areas of riparian habitat and stands of dense forest. Water availability may limit distribution in dry regions.
Activity tends to begin at dusk, continue throughout the night, ending at dawn.
The daylight hours are spent resting in cover areas such as rock cavities, hollow logs, snags, stumps, and dense brush. These cover areas may also be used as dens during the breeding season. Although they are largely carnivorous, they also may consume substantial amounts of vegetation, mostly fruits and some grass. Prey is caught by stalking or ambushing from trees or atop logs or rocks. Long pursuits of prey are very unusual, most last only a few leaps or bounds.