短尾貓
Bobcat

context: zh_tw: 有指猞猁屬是與美洲金貓屬、豹貓屬及貓屬於 715 萬年前是源自同一分支的。猞猁屬最先約在 324 萬年前分開出來。短尾貓相信是從歐亞猞猁演化出來。歐亞猞猁於更新世橫過白令陸橋到達北美洲，而短尾貓的祖先則在 260 萬年前抵達。第一波進入了北美洲南部，但就被冰川阻擋了前往北方的路。這些動物約於 2 萬年前演化成現今的短尾貓。第二波從亞洲進入及定居北美洲北部，發展成現今的加拿大猞猁。短尾貓與加拿大猞猁之間有時會出現雜交情況。
en: Johnson et al. reported Lynx shared a clade with the puma, leopard cat (Prionailurus), and domestic cat (Felis) lineages, dated to 7.15 million years ago (mya); Lynx diverged first, approximately 3.24 million years ago.The bobcat is believed to have evolved from the Eurasian lynx, which crossed into North America by way of the Bering Land Bridge during the Pleistocene, with progenitors arriving as early as 2.6 million years ago. The first wave moved into the southern portion of North America, which was soon cut off from the north by glaciers. This population evolved into modern bobcats around 20,000 years ago. A second population arrived from Asia and settled in the north, developing into the modern Canada lynx. Hybridization between the bobcat and the Canada lynx may sometimes occur.
qas: question: zh_tw: 哪兩種動物有時會出現雜交情況？
en: What two creatures may engage in the act of hybridization?
answers: zh_tw: text: 短尾貓與加拿大猞猁
en: text: the bobcat and the Canada lynx

context: zh_tw: 短尾貓像其他猞猁屬的物種，但平均較為細小。牠的毛皮各有不同，一般都是黃褐色至灰褐色，身體、前肢及尾巴上有黑色斑紋。牠的圓斑點可以用來偽裝。耳朵尖端呈黑色，有短簇的毛。嘴唇、面頰及腹部一般都是米白色。在西南部沙漠地區的短尾貓毛皮較淺色，而在北部森林的則較深色。幼貓出生時已經有毛皮及斑點。有少數黑變病的短尾貓在佛羅里達州被發現。牠們是黑色的，但可能仍保有斑點。短尾貓的臉因耳朵下的毛髮看似很寬。它的毛皮容易受損，但毛較長及密。鼻子呈粉紅色，面部、兩側及背部為灰色、黃紅色或褐紅色。眼睛呈黃色，而瞳孔是黑色的。瞳孔上下較長，在晚間會擴張以獲得最多的光線。短尾貓的聽覺及視覺靈敏，嗅覺亦很好。牠是高超的攀樹者，若有需要可以游泳，不過通常都會避免。成年雄性的短尾貓長 0.7-1.2 米，平均長 0.9 米，包括了 10-18 釐米長的尾巴，站立時肩高 36-38 釐米，一般重 7-14 公斤。雌性平均重 9 公斤。短尾貓肌肉發達，後肢較前肢長。出生時短尾貓約重 280-340 克，長 25 釐米。出生首年可生長達 4.5 公斤重。在北部地區及野外棲息的短尾貓體型較大。形態學上的研究發現最大的雄性及雌性標本在體型上有所分別，可見不同性別的短尾貓有不同的自然選擇條件。
en: The bobcat resembles other species of the midsize genus Lynx, but is on average the smallest of the four. Its coat is variable, though generally tan to grayish-brown, with black streaks on the body and dark bars on the forelegs and tail. Its spotted patterning acts as camouflage. The ears are black-tipped and pointed, with short, black tufts. Generally, an off-white color is seen on the lips, chin, and underparts. Bobcats in the desert regions of the southwest have the lightest-colored coats, while those in the northern, forested regions are darkest. Kittens are born well-furred and already have their spots.  A few melanistic bobcats have been sighted and captured in Florida. They appear black, but may still exhibit a spot pattern.The face appears wide due to ruffs of extended hair beneath the ears. Bobcat eyes are yellow with black pupils. The nose of the bobcat is pinkish-red, and it has a base color of gray or yellowish- or brownish-red on its face, sides, and back. The pupils are round, black circles and will widen during nocturnal activity to maximize light reception. The cat has sharp hearing and vision, and a good sense of smell. It is an excellent climber, and swims when it needs to, but normally avoids water. However, cases of bobcats swimming long distances across lakes have been recorded.The adult bobcat is 47.5 to 125 cm (18.7 to 49.2 in) long from the head to the base of its distinctive stubby tail, averaging 82.7 cm (32.6 in); the tail, which appears “bobbed” and gives the species its name, adds 9 to 20 cm (3.5 to 7.9 in)An adult stands about 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in) at the shoulders. Adult males can range in weight from 6.4 to 18.3 kg (14 to 40 lb), with an average of 9.6 kg (21 lb); females at 4 to 15.3 kg (8.8 to 33.7 lb), with an average of 6.8 kg (15 lb). The largest bobcat accurately measured on record weighed 22.2 kg (49 lb), although unverified reports have them reaching 27 kg (60 lb). Furthermore, a June 20, 2012 report of a New Hampshire roadkill specimen listed the animal's weight at 27 kg (60 lb). The largest-bodied bobcats are from eastern Canada and northern New England of the subspecies L. r. gigas, while the smallest are from the southeastern subspecies L. r. floridanus, particularly those in the southern Appalachians. The bobcat is muscular, and its hind legs are longer than its front legs, giving it a bobbing gait. At birth, it weighs 0.6 to 0.75 lb (270 to 340 g) and is about 10 in (25 cm) in length. By its first birthday, it weighs about 10 lb (4.5 kg).The cat is larger in its northern range and in open habitats. A morphological size comparison study in the eastern United States found a divergence in the location of the largest male and female specimens, suggesting differing selection constraints for the sexes.
qas: question: zh_tw: 只有少數短尾貓能在哪裡被看到和抓到？
en: Where have only a handful of bobcats been seen and apprehended?
answers: zh_tw: text: 佛羅里達州
en: text: Florida

context: zh_tw: 短尾貓是拂曉的動物，主要於黎明及黃昏時出沒。牠們在日落前三小時開始活動，直至約午夜時份，接著會再次在天光前至日出後三小時活動。每晚牠們會沿其棲息路徑移動 3-11 公里。這種行為會按季節而變更，因為牠們在冬天會對應其獵物而調節，變得會在白天活動。
en: The bobcat is crepuscular, and is active mostly during twilight. It keeps on the move from three hours before sunset until about midnight, and then again from before dawn until three hours after sunrise. Each night, it moves from 2 to 7 mi (3.2 to 11.3 km) along its habitual route. This behavior may vary seasonally, as bobcats become more diurnal during fall and winter in response to the activity of their prey, which are more active during the day in colder weather.
qas: question: zh_tw: 短尾貓何時開始活動？\n
en: When does a bobcat initially start moving?
answers: zh_tw: text: 日落前三小時開始活動，直至約午夜時份
en: text: from three hours before sunset until about midnight

context: zh_tw: 短尾貓可以很長時間不吃食物，但當獵物豐富時會不斷的吃。在缺乏食物時，牠們會獵食較大的動物，以便供應後來的需要。短尾貓會跟蹤及伏擊獵物。牠們較喜歡獵食重 0.7-5.7 公斤的哺乳動物，而不同地區會捕獵不同的獵物。在美國東部，牠們主要獵食林兔屬，在北部主要是白靴兔。當這兩類獵物都同時存在時，如在新英格蘭，牠們都會成為短尾貓的獵物。在較南的地區，棉鼠會取代兔及野兔成為短尾貓的主要食物。短尾貓是機會主義者，會隨時改變獵物。研究顯示牠們的食性多樣化是受其主要獵物數量的下降影響，牠們的整體食性可以由主要獵物的數量來確定。短尾貓獵食不同大小的動物，並會隨之更換捕獵手法。對於細小的動物，如齧齒目、松鼠、鳥類、魚類及昆蟲，短尾貓會前往獵物豐富的地方，躺下靜待及伏擊獵物。對於稍為大的動物，如兔及野兔，牠會跟蹤獵物，直至獵物在其 6-20 米的範圍內，並開始追捕獵物。牠們很少但亦會獵食較大的動物，如狐、貂、鼬鼠、細小的狗及家貓。短尾貓有時會獵殺家畜及家禽。雖然未有見過較大的牛及馬被攻擊，但細小的綿羊及山羊則受到其威脅。根據統計，短尾貓在 2004 年就曾殺死 11100 只綿羊，佔綿羊掠食者的 4.9%。但是，一些指是短尾貓掠食的個案可能是誤會，因為牠們是會吃家畜的屍體。短尾貓會獵食鹿，尤其在冬天缺乏細小獵物時，或是鹿的數量太多的時候。雖然顯示大部份被殺的都是小鹿，但小鹿的重量是短尾貓的 8 倍。短尾貓會跟蹤鹿，待牠躺下時，快速的走近並咬破牠的喉嚨、頭顱骨底部或胸部。當短尾貓殺死鹿及吃飽後，會將鹿的腐肉收藏在雪或樹葉下，並會再次回來吃食。短尾貓獵食的範圍會與其他擁有相似生態位的中型動物重疊。在緬因州的研究發現牠們與郊狼或赤狐並不怎麼競爭。 短尾貓與加拿大猞猁的競爭影響了加拿大猞猁的分佈，令牠們不能向南擴充套件。
en: The bobcat is able to survive for long periods without food, but eats heavily when prey is abundant. During lean periods, it often preys on larger animals, which it can kill and return to feed on later. The bobcat hunts by stalking its prey and then ambushing with a short chase or pounce. Its preference is for mammals weighing about 1.5 to 12.5 lb (0.68 to 5.67 kg). Its main prey varies by region. In the eastern United States, it is the eastern cottontail species, and in the north it is the snowshoe hare. When these prey species exist together, as in New England, they are the primary food sources of the bobcat. In the far south, the rabbits and hares are sometimes replaced by cotton rats as the primary food source. Birds up to the size of an adult swan are also taken in ambushes, along with their fledglings and eggs. The bobcat is an opportunistic predator that, unlike the more specialized Canada lynx, readily varies its prey selection. Diet diversification positively correlates to a decline in numbers of the bobcat's principal prey; the abundance of its main prey species is the main determinant of overall diet.The bobcat hunts animals of different sizes, and adjusts its hunting techniques accordingly. With small animals, such as rodents (including squirrels), birds, fish including small sharks, and insects, it hunts in areas known to be abundant in prey, and will lie, crouch, or stand, and wait for victims to wander close. It then pounces, grabbing its prey with its sharp, retractable claws. For slightly larger animals, such as geese, rabbits, and hares, it stalks from cover and waits until prey comes within 20 to 35 ft (6.1 to 10.7 m) before rushing in to attack. Less commonly, it feeds on larger animals, such as young ungulates, and other carnivores, such as fishers (primarily female), foxes, minks, martens, skunks, small dogs, and domesticated cats. Bobcats are considered the major predatory threat to the endangered whooping crane. Bobcats are also occasional hunters of livestock and poultry. While larger species, such as cattle and horses, are not known to be attacked, bobcats do present a threat to smaller ruminants, such as sheep and goats. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, bobcats killed 11,100 sheep in 2004, comprising 4.9% of all sheep predator deaths. However, some amount of bobcat predation may be misidentified, as bobcats have been known to scavenge on the remains of livestock kills by other animals.It has been known to kill deer, especially in winter when smaller prey is scarce, or when deer populations become more abundant. One study in the Everglades showed a large majority of kills (33 of 39) were fawns, but prey up to eight times the bobcat's weight could be successfully taken. It stalks the deer, often when the deer is lying down, then rushes in and grabs it by the neck before biting the throat, base of the skull, or chest. On the rare occasions a bobcat kills a deer, it eats its fill and then buries the carcass under snow or leaves, often returning to it several times to feed.The bobcat prey base overlaps with that of other midsized predators of a similar ecological niche. Research in Maine has shown little evidence of competitive relationships between the bobcat and coyote or red fox; separation distances and territory overlap appeared random among simultaneously monitored animals. However, other studies have found bobcat populations may decrease in areas with high coyote populations, with the more social inclination of the canid giving them a possible competitive advantage. With the Canada lynx, however, the interspecific relationship affects distribution patterns; competitive exclusion by the bobcat is likely to have prevented any further southward expansion of the range of its felid relative.
qas: question: zh_tw: 在新英格蘭，兔子是哪種動物的主要獵物？
en: Rabbits are the primary food source for what animal in New England?
answers: zh_tw: text: 短尾貓
en: text: bobcat

context: zh_tw: 短尾貓一般壽命為 6-8 歲，有很少可以達至 10 歲。野外最長壽的短尾貓有 16 歲，而飼養的則有 32 歲。短尾貓會於出生後第二年的夏天開始交配，而雌性的更會於首年就開始。短尾貓會於每年的 9-10 月產生精子，並於夏天成熟。每年冬天至初春雄性會與雌性一同生活，並會交配數次。交配的時份會受地區所影響，但大都是在 2-3 月發生。這對短尾貓會有多種不同的行為，包括碰撞、追逐及隱藏自己。其他的雄性可能會在一起，但卻不會牽涉入內。一旦雄性確認雌性發情，牠會抓住雌性。雌性將來會與其他的雄性交配，而雄性一般會與幾隻雌性交配。短尾貓求愛時會尖叫、發出噓聲或其他聲音。在德克薩斯州的研究指短尾貓的領土是受生育影響，若沒有交配的物件則不會設立領土。雌性的動情週期為 44 日，並會動情 5-10 日。短尾貓在其一生中都會適合生殖。雌性會獨自撫養幼貓。短尾貓的妊娠期為 60-70 日，約於 4 月至 5 月出生，每胎約有 1-6 只，一般為 2-4 只。有時第二胎會最遲於 9 月出生。雌性一般會在密閉的地方，如細小洞穴或樹孔中生育。幼貓會於第 9-10 日開啟雙眼，並於約 4 周後開始探索身邊的環境，兩個月後會斷奶。在第 3-5 個月後牠們會開始與母親出外。牠們會於第一年的冬天前自行獵食，並很快就會獨自生活。在密歇根州就曾觀察到幼貓最遲在春天仍與母親一起。
en: The average bobcat lifespan is 7 years long and rarely exceeds 10 years.  The oldest wild bobcat on record was 16 years old, and the oldest captive bobcat lived to be 32.Bobcats generally begin breeding by their second summer, though females may start as early as their first year. Sperm production begins each year by September or October, and the male is fertile into the summer. A dominant male travels with a female and mates with her several times, generally from winter until early spring; this varies by location, but most mating takes place during February and March. The pair may undertake a number of different behaviors, including bumping, chasing, and ambushing. Other males may be in attendance, but remain uninvolved. Once the male recognizes the female is receptive, he grasps her in the typical felid neck grip and mates with her. The female may later go on to mate with other males, and males generally mate with several females. During courtship, the otherwise silent bobcat may let out loud screams, hisses, or other sounds. Research in Texas has suggested establishing a home range is necessary for breeding; studied animals with no set range had no identified offspring. The female has an estrous cycle of 44 days, with the estrus lasting five to ten days. Bobcats remain reproductively active throughout their lives.The female raises the young alone. One to six, but usually two to four, kittens are born in April or May, after roughly 60 to 70 days of gestation. Sometimes, a second litter is born as late as September. The female generally gives birth in an enclosed space, usually a small cave or hollow log. The young open their eyes by the ninth or tenth day. They start exploring their surroundings at four weeks and are weaned at about two months. Within three to five months, they begin to travel with their mother. They hunt by themselves by fall of their first year, and usually disperse shortly thereafter. In Michigan, however, they have been observed staying with their mother as late as the next spring.
qas: question: zh_tw: 所有的雄性都參與交配嗎？
en: are all male involved in the mating
answers: zh_tw: text: 其他的雄性可能會在一起，但卻不會牽涉入內。
en: text: Other males may be in attendance, but remain uninvolved.

question: zh_tw: 他們什麼時候開始探索周圍的區域？
en: When do they begin to explore areas around them?
answers: zh_tw: text: 4 周
en: text: four weeks

question: zh_tw: 在哪州就曾觀察到它們在下個春天仍與母親一起？
en: In what state have they been seen to stay with their mothers into the next spring?
answers: zh_tw: text: 密歇根州
en: text: Michigan

context: zh_tw: 短尾貓被列在瀕臨絕種野生動植物國際貿易公約的附錄 Ⅱ 中，即牠們未有滅絕的危險，但對其的獵殺及賣買須要監察。短尾貓在其分佈的三個國家都有規管。據 1988 年估計，美國短尾貓的數量介乎 700,000 至 1,500,000，且每年有上升的趨勢。故此，美國曾要求將短尾貓從公約中剔除。加拿大及墨西哥的短尾貓數量亦很穩定。世界自然保護聯盟將短尾貓列為暫無危險，可見牠們相對的廣泛分佈，但在墨西哥南部卻未有清晰的統計。短尾貓在個別的俄亥俄州、印第安納州及愛荷華州瀕危。於 1999 年，牠們在伊利諾伊州的瀕危名單中被剔除，而在賓夕法尼亞州亦取消了對牠們獵殺的限制。在 19 世紀的新澤西州，短尾貓的數量亦有下降，主要原因是商業及農業的發展減少了牠們的棲息地，故於 1991 年在該州中被列為瀕危。L. rufus escuinipae 是在墨西哥的亞種，曾一度被認為瀕危，但於 2005 年已被除名。短尾貓因其毛皮及運動而被殺，但卻仍能保持數量。幼貓由於需要母親的照顧而較為易危。在 1970 年代及 1980 年代，由於其毛皮價值的上升而被大量獵殺，但有關價格其於 1990 年代初急跌。短尾貓的死亡率中有一半是因受管制的獵殺，故在開放獵殺的冬天，牠們的數量會大幅下降。
en: The species is considered endangered in Ohio, Indiana, and New Jersey. It was removed from the threatened list of Illinois in 1999 and of Iowa in 2003. In Pennsylvania, limited hunting and trapping are once again allowed, after having been banned from 1970 to 1999. The bobcat also suffered population decline in New Jersey at the turn of the 19th century, mainly because of commercial and agricultural developments causing habitat fragmentation; by 1972, the bobcat was given full legal protection, and was listed as endangered in the state in 1991. L. r. escuinipae, the subspecies found in Mexico, was for a time considered endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, but was delisted in 2005.The bobcat has long been valued both for fur and sport; it has been hunted and trapped by humans, but has maintained a high population, even in the southern United States, where it is extensively hunted. In the 1970s and 1980s, an unprecedented rise in price for bobcat fur caused further interest in hunting, but by the early 1990s, prices had dropped significantly. Regulated hunting still continues, with half of mortality of some populations being attributed to this cause. As a result, the rate of bobcat deaths is skewed in winter, when hunting season is generally open.Urbanization can result in the fragmentation of contiguous natural landscapes into patchy habitat within an urban area. Animals that live in these fragmented areas often have reduced movement between the habitat patches, which can lead to reduced gene flow and pathogen transmission between patches. Animals such as the bobcat are particularly sensitive to fragmentation because of their large home ranges. A study in coastal Southern California has shown bobcat populations are affected by urbanization, creation of roads, and other developments. The populations may not be declining as much as predicted, but instead the connectivity of different populations is affected. This leads to a decrease in natural genetic diversity among bobcat populations. For bobcats, preserving open space in sufficient quantities and quality is necessary for population viability. Educating local residents about the animals is critical, as well, for conservation in urban areas.In bobcats using urban habitats in California, the use of rodenticides has been linked to both secondary poisoning by consuming poisoned rats and mice, and to increased rates of severe mite infestation (known as notoedric mange), as an animal with a poison-weakened immune system is less capable of fighting off mange. Liver autopsies in California bobcats that have succumbed to notoedric mange have revealed chronic rodenticide exposure.  Alternative rodent control measures such as vegetation control and use of traps have been suggested to alleviate this issue.
qas: question: zh_tw: 哪三個州瀕臨滅絕物種？
en: What three states is the species endangered in?
answers: zh_tw: text: 俄亥俄州、印第安納州及愛荷華州
en: text: Ohio, Indiana, and New Jersey