A bobcat is a lynx — it belongs to the genus Lynx, which contains four species: the bobcat, the Canada lynx, the Eurasian lynx and the Iberian lynx. When people contrast "lynx and bobcat" they usually mean the Canada lynx specifically, which is larger, with bigger paws and longer ear tufts.
The core difference
Not two animals — a genus and one of its members.
- lynx — the genus, containing four species.
- bobcat — Lynx rufus, the smallest and most widespread, found across North America.
- Canada lynx — larger, with huge paws for snow and prominent ear tufts.
Telling a bobcat from a Canada lynx
Paws and tail. The Canada lynx has oversized, heavily furred paws that work as snowshoes, longer ear tufts and a fully black tail tip. The bobcat has smaller paws, shorter tufts, and a tail that is black on top and white underneath — the "bobbed" tail that gives it its name.
The Iberian lynx
The rarest of the four and one of the most endangered cats in the world, though sustained conservation has brought it back from near-extinction.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bobcat a type of lynx?
Yes. It belongs to the genus Lynx, alongside the Canada, Eurasian and Iberian lynx.
How do I tell a bobcat from a Canada lynx?
The Canada lynx has much larger furred paws, longer ear tufts and an entirely black tail tip; the bobcat's tail is white underneath.
How did the bobcat get its name?
From its short, "bobbed" tail.