They are usually light brown to reddish brown. Their fur is spotted when they are babies, but the spots fade when they grow up. Bobcats have very short tails, only three to seven inches long. Like house cats, they keep their sharp claws inside their toes. So when they leave a footprint, the claws don't show.
Bobcats are curious, like cats, but they are very shy and never come up to people.
They do not make good pets. Bobcats like to live in woods or grassy areas. They usually live alone on a territory that is from 5 - 50 miles long. They eat rabbits, rats, squirrels, ground birds, turkeys, and even small or sick deer. Sometimes they will kill and eat chickens or lambs on a farm.