Bobcats are majestic, and chances are, they’re living somewhere near you if you live in North America, southern Canada, or northern Mexico. Yet most of us have never seen one in person. And we will never see one. They’re the masters of hide and seek, surely ranking just next to Bigfoot as world champions of remaining unseen. Unlike the Squatch, we know they’re real and most likely nearby. So their skills at hiding are definitely world-class!
If you like to hike, chances are, a bobcat has seen you. But yet, you’ll never know they were ever there. They’re just that elusive, and they wisely stay out of trouble wherever possible. These cats are ultra-secretive and generally only come out at dusk or dawn to hunt, preferring the twilight, which is called crepuscular hunting.
Considering all this, it’s extremely rare to see bobcats playing in the sunshine on a golf course. And even rarer for somebody to catch them on video because they can run 30 mph with a gait similar to a giant rabbit. It would be rarer than hitting a hole-in-one to catch them on video like this. Maybe, it would be more like the rarest shots of a Double Eagle or even a Condor.
Screenshots via YouTube/Orlando News
On February 9th, 2024, a golfer was in the right spot at the right time, catching two bobcats frolicking at the Orange County National Golf Center in Winter Garden, Florida. We don’t know exactly how many of these cats are in the Sunshine State, but few people will ever see them this close (see video below)!
Video by Orlando-News:
Bobcat and Bobkittens Play On a Golf Course
Last year, a family of bobcats took to the green of the Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, Texas. Resident Brian Hughes caught a mama and three bobkittens (it’s a cute word, isn’t it?) playing near a stream that borders a nature sanctuary. Kittens usually number from one to eight and stay with their mother until about ten to 12 months.
Although they sure do look cute as can be, it’s always best to avoid getting close. They are formidable predators, but getting used to being around people is extremely hazardous to their health in the wild. We’re much more dangerous to them then they are to us, although there are rare attacks on humans.
Mama bobcat with kittens in Plano, Texas via YouTube/WFAA
Like all big cats, bobcats face serious threats like habitat loss and hunting for pelts, sadly still sold in great numbers overseas. While some estimates suggest there are millions of bobcats, there are several states where there are none and several where their numbers are quite small, numbering less than 1,000 animals.
While they live about 12-13 years in the wild, they can live over 20 years in sanctuaries. But they deserve to live free and clearly prefer it, remaining unseen despite being the most common wildcat in North America.
Video by WFAA:
