Bobcat Scat and Tracks: How to Identify Them (Lynx rufus)

Carnivore scat is tubular, often twisted and tapered at one end, and full of hair, bone fragments, berries or seeds depending on the season. Dog-family tracks show four toes with claw marks and an X drawn between the pads; cat-family tracks show four toes with no claws and a three-lobed heel pad. Many carnivores leave scat on trails, rocks and junctions on purpose, so where it sits is a clue in itself. The measurements below for Bobcat are quoted from the wildlife agencies linked at the bottom of the page.

• Shape: Highly segmented (appears jointed, section by section)
• Contents/color: Often contains hair but no bone
• Where: Usually buries its own droppings; near a den or trail it may scrape the ground to mark territory, in which case the droppings are left exposed rather than buried

• Front: Front footprint about 1.75-2.25 inches long, 5 toes (only 4 touch the ground)
• Hind: The hind footprint is slightly smaller than the front, 4 toes
• Toes: 5 toes on the front foot, 4 toes on the hind foot
• Claws usually do not show
• Gait: A narrow, nearly straight-line gait with the hind foot stepping into the front footprint (direct register); stride 6-13 inches

• Zigzag travel path: Walking trail is often zigzag-shaped

The Bobcat is often mistaken for a Mountain Lion, but it is much smaller and has a short tail The Mountain Lion page has its own sign list.

A juvenile Bobcat's tracks are easily confused with a Domestic Cat's The Domestic Cat page has its own sign list.

Put something of known size next to it (a coin, a pen, a boot) and shoot straight down in soft light; low side light brings out the shape of tracks in mud or snow. For scat, photograph the whole deposit and one close-up showing contents. Note where it was: on a log, in the open, on a trail, near water. The app suggests the likely animal; confirm with the size and shape notes above.