Melanism is the congenital excess of melanin in an organism resulting in dark pigment .
77-731: See text The bobcat ( Lynx rufus ), also known as the wildcat , bay lynx , or red lynx , is one of the four extant species within the medium-sized wild cat genus Lynx . Native to North America , it ranges from southern Canada through most of the contiguous United States to Oaxaca in Mexico . It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 2002, due to its wide distribution and large population. Although it has been hunted extensively both for sport and fur, populations have proven stable, though declining in some areas. It has distinctive black bars on its forelegs and
154-470: A Mendelian , monogenic recessive trait relative to the spotted form. Pairings of black animals have a significantly smaller litter size than other possible pairings. Between January 1996 and March 2009, Indochinese leopards were photographed at 16 sites in the Malay Peninsula in a sampling effort of more than 1000 trap nights. Of 445 photographs of melanistic leopards, 410 were taken south of
231-401: 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 were recorded in eastern Canada and northern New England, and the smallest in the southern Appalachian Mountains . Consistent with Bergmann's rule , the bobcat is larger in its northern range and in open habitats. A morphological size comparison study in
308-408: A black-tipped, stubby (or "bobbed") tail, from which it derives its name. It reaches a total length (including the tail) of up to 125 cm (50 in). It is an adaptable predator inhabiting wooded areas, semidesert, urban edge, forest edge, and swampland environments. It remains in some of its original range, but populations are vulnerable to extirpation by coyotes and domestic animals. Though
385-503: A bobcat was captured in 2018 on a tourist boat in Downtown Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . In addition, bobcat sightings have been confirmed in northern Indiana, and one was killed near Albion, Michigan, in 2008. In early March 2010, a bobcat was sighted (and later captured by animal control authorities) in a parking garage in downtown Houston . By 2010, bobcats appear to have recolonized many states, occurring in every state in
462-789: A carcass is confirmed. Like other Lynx species, bobcats probably avoid encounters with bears, in part because they are likely to lose kills to them or may rarely be attacked by them. Bobcat remains have occasionally been found in the resting sites of male fishers . American alligators ( Alligator mississippensis ) have been filmed opportunistically preying on adult bobcats in the southeast United States. Golden eagles ( Aquila chrysaetos ) have been reportedly observed preying on bobcats. Kittens may be taken by several predators, including great horned owls , eagles , foxes , and bears , and other adult male bobcats. When prey populations are not abundant, fewer kittens are likely to reach adulthood. Diseases, accidents, hunters, automobiles, and starvation are
539-454: A disability arts organisation Extant (TV series) , an American television series Hank Hall , also known as Extant, a DC Comics supervillain See also [ edit ] Extent (disambiguation) Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Extant . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change
616-522: A dominance hierarchy is often established, resulting in the exclusion of some transients from favored areas. In line with widely differing estimates of home range size, population density figures diverge from one to 38 bobcats per 26 km (10 sq mi) in one survey. The average is estimated at one bobcat per 13 km (5 sq mi). A link has been observed between population density and sex ratio. An unhunted population in California had
693-503: A foraging advantage during night hunting. Typically, adaptive melanism is heritable : A dominant allele , which is entirely or nearly entirely expressed in the phenotype , is responsible for the excessive amount of melanin. By contrast, adaptive melanism associated with Batesian mimicry in Zelandoperla fenestrata stoneflies is controlled by a recessive allele at the ebony locus. Adaptive melanism has been shown to occur in
770-585: A gestation period of about two months. Two subspecies are recognized: one east of the Great Plains , and the other west of the Great Plains. It is featured in some stories of the indigenous peoples of North and Central America, and in the folklore of European-descended inhabitants of the Americas. Felis rufa was the scientific name proposed by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1777. In
847-443: A high-altitude adaptation, since black fur absorbs more light for warmth. The chicken breeds Silkie and Ayam Cemani commonly exhibit this trait. Ayam Cemani is an uncommon and relatively modern breed of chicken from Indonesia. They have a dominant gene that causes hyperpigmentation (Fibromelanosis), making the chicken entirely black; including feathers, beak, and internal organs. In April 2015, an extremely rare black flamingo
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#1732773264695924-469: A home range is necessary for breeding; studied animals without a home 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,
1001-488: A large part of the body of the animal, making it appear melanistic. The morbid deposition of black matter, often of a malignant character causing pigmented tumors , is called melanosis . Melanism related to the process of adaptation is called adaptive. Most commonly, dark individuals become fitter to survive and reproduce in their environment as they are better camouflaged. This makes some species less conspicuous to predators, while others, such as leopards , use it as
1078-522: 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 bobcat's vocalizations include screaming and hissing. Research in Texas revealed that establishing
1155-533: 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. Stories featuring the bobcat, in many variations, are found in some Indigenous cultures of North America, with parallels in South America. A story from
1232-525: 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
1309-402: A sex ratio of 2.1 males per female. When the density decreased, the sex ratio skewed to 0.86 males per female. Another study observed a similar ratio, and suggested the males may be better able to cope with the increased competition, and this helped limit reproduction until various factors lowered the density. The bobcat is able to survive for long periods without food, but eats heavily when prey
1386-494: A tamed and cherished pet or possible spiritual significance. The Hopewell normally buried their dogs, so the bones were initially identified as remains of a puppy, but dogs were usually buried close to the village and not in the mounds themselves. This is the only wild cat decorated burial on the archaeological record. An inhabitant of Appalachia , Lynx rufus is immortalized (along with university founder Rufus Putnam ) at Ohio University through its popular college mascot, Rufus
1463-610: A threat to smaller ruminants such as pigs , 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 or pronghorn , and sometimes to hunt elk in western North America, especially in winter when smaller prey
1540-722: A variety of animals, including mammals such as squirrels , many cats and canids , and coral snakes . Adaptive melanism can lead to the creation of morphs , a notable example being the peppered moth , whose evolutionary history in the United Kingdom is offered as a classic instructional tool for teaching the principles of natural selection . A more replicated example of human-induced shifts in melanism has arisen from repeated selection against melanic Zelandoperla fenestrata stonefly phenotypes following widespread deforestation in New Zealand . Industrial melanism
1617-704: Is 47.5–125 cm (18.7–49.2 in) long from the head to the base of its distinctive stubby tail, averaging 82.7 cm (32.6 in); the tail is 9 to 20 cm (3.5 to 7.9 in) long. Its " bobbed " appearance gives the species its name. An adult stands about 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in) at the shoulders. Adult males can range in weight from 6.4–18.3 kg (14–40 lb), with an average of 9.6 kg (21 lb); females at 4–15.3 kg (8.8–33.7 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,
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#17327732646951694-445: 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 0.7–6 kg ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 – 12 + 1 ⁄ 2 lb). Its main prey varies by region: in the eastern United States, it is the eastern cottontail and New England cottontail , and in
1771-438: Is an evolutionary effect in insects such as the peppered moth, Biston betularia in areas subject to industrial pollution . Darker pigmented individuals are favored by natural selection , apparently because they are better camouflaged against polluted backgrounds. When pollution was later reduced, lighter forms regained the advantage and melanism became less frequent. Other explanations have been proposed, such as that
1848-416: Is an adaptable species. It prefers woodlands— deciduous , coniferous , or mixed—but does not depend exclusively on the deep forest. It ranges from the humid swamps of Florida to desert lands of Texas or rugged mountain areas. It makes its home near agricultural areas, if rocky ledges, swamps, or forested tracts are present; its spotted coat serves as camouflage. The population of the bobcat depends primarily on
1925-519: Is not melanism. This rare genetic disorder is characterized by the development of macules with hyperpigmentation on the lips and oral mucosa ( melanosis ), as well as benign polyps in the gastrointestinal tract. The term melanism has been used on Usenet , internet forums and blogs to mean an African-American social movement holding that dark-skinned humans are the original people from which those of other skin color originate. The term melanism has been used in this context as early as
2002-584: Is regulated in all three of its range countries, and is found in a number of protected areas of the United States , its principal territory. Estimates from the US Fish and Wildlife Service placed bobcat numbers between 700,000 and 1,500,000 in the US in 1988, with increased range and population density suggesting even greater numbers in subsequent years; for these reasons, the U.S. has petitioned CITES to remove
2079-458: 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 . In Yellowstone a large number of kills (15 of 20) were elk calves, 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
2156-515: 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, USA and New Brunswick, Canada. They appear black, but may still exhibit a spot pattern. The face appears wide due to ruffs of extended hair beneath
2233-650: Is thought to have evolved from the Eurasian lynx ( L. 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. It first appeared during the Irvingtonian stage around 1.8 million years ago . The first bobcat wave moved into the southern portion of North America, which was soon cut off from
2310-552: The Kra Isthmus , where the non-melanistic morph was never photographed. These data suggest the near fixation of the dark allele in the region. The expected time to fixation of this recessive allele due to genetic drift alone ranged from about 1,100 years to about 100,000 years. Melanism in leopards has been hypothesized to be causally associated with a selective advantage for ambush. Other theories are that genes for melanism in felines may provide resistance to viral infections, or
2387-513: The Nez Perce , for instance, depicts the bobcat and coyote as opposed, antithetical beings. However, another version represents them with equality and identicality. Claude Lévi-Strauss argues that the former concept, that of twins representing opposites, is an inherent theme in New World mythologies, but that they are not equally balanced figures, representing an open-ended dualism rather than
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2464-622: The 19th and 20th centuries, the following zoological specimens were described: The validity of these subspecies was challenged in 1981 because of the minor differences between specimens from the various geographic regions in North America. Since the revision of cat taxonomy in 2017, only two subspecies are recognized as valid taxa : The genus Lynx shares a clade with the genera Puma , Prionailurus and Felis dated to 7.15 million years ago ; Lynx diverged approximately 3.24 million years ago . The bobcat
2541-561: The Americas also admired the cat, both for its ferocity and its grace, and in the United States, it "rests prominently in the anthology of ... national folklore." Grave artifacts from dirt domes excavated in the 1980s along the Illinois River revealed a complete skeleton of a young bobcat along with a collar made of bone pendants and shell beads that had been buried by the Hopewell culture . The type and place of burial indicate
2618-639: The Bobcat . extant [REDACTED] Look up extant in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Extant is the opposite of the word extinct . It may refer to: Extant hereditary titles Extant literature , surviving literature, such as Beowulf , the oldest extant manuscript written in English Extant taxon , a taxon which is not extinct, such as an extant species Extant Theatre Company ,
2695-470: The Everglades by 87.5% has been attributed to predation by the invasive Burmese python . 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
2772-428: The activity of their prey, which are more active during the day in colder weather. Bobcat activities are confined to well-defined territories, which vary in size depending on the sex and the distribution of prey. The home range is marked with feces, urine scent , and by clawing prominent trees in the area. In its territory, the bobcat has numerous places of shelter, usually a main den, and several auxiliary shelters on
2849-411: The aridification of the region. 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
2926-584: The average is about 45 mm ( 1 + 3 ⁄ 4 in). When walking or trotting, the tracks are spaced roughly 20 to 45 cm (8 to 18 in) apart. The bobcat can make great strides when running, often from 1.2–2.4 m (4–8 ft). Like all cats, the bobcat 'directly registers', meaning its hind prints usually fall exactly on top of its fore prints. Bobcat tracks can be generally distinguished from feral or house cat tracks by their larger size: about 15 cm (2 sq in) versus 10 cm ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 sq in). The bobcat
3003-474: The bobcat prefers rabbits and hares , it hunts insects , chickens , geese and other birds , small rodents , and deer . Prey selection depends on location and habitat , season, and abundance. Like most cats, the bobcat is territorial and largely solitary, although with some overlap in home ranges. It uses several methods to mark its territorial boundaries , including claw marks and deposits of urine or feces. The bobcat breeds from winter into spring and has
3080-619: The bobcat. Parasites' and diseases' role in the mortality of the bobcat is still unclear, but they may account for greater mortality than starvation, accidents, and predation. It is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which means it is not considered threatened with extinction, but that international trade must be closely monitored. The animal
3157-434: The body from harmful ultraviolet radiation . The same ultraviolet radiation is essential for the synthesis of vitamin D in skin, so lighter colored skin – less melanin – is an adaptation related to the prehistoric movement of humans away from equatorial regions, as there is less exposure to sunlight at higher latitudes. People from parts of Africa, South Asia , Southeast Asia , and Australia may have very dark skin, but this
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3234-728: The cat from Appendix II. Populations in Canada and Mexico remain stable and healthy. It is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List , noting it is relatively widespread and abundant, but information from southern Mexico is poor. 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
3311-598: 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
3388-406: The contiguous 48 except Delaware. The bobcat population in Canada is limited due to both snow depth and the presence of the Canada lynx. The bobcat does not tolerate deep snow, and waits out heavy storms in sheltered areas; it lacks the large, padded feet of the Canada lynx and cannot support its weight on snow as efficiently. The bobcat is not entirely at a disadvantage where its range meets that of
3465-411: The country. 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 3 to 11 km (2 to 7 mi) along its habitual route. This behavior may vary seasonally, as bobcats become more diurnal during fall and winter in response to
3542-461: 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
3619-430: The ears. Bobcat eyes are yellow with round, 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 widen during nocturnal activity to maximize light reception. The bobcat 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. The adult bobcat
3696-554: The eastern United States found a divergence in the location of the largest male and female specimens, suggesting differing selection constraints for the sexes. Skeletal muscles make up 58.5 % of the bobcat's body weight. At birth, it weighs 270–340 g ( 9 + 1 ⁄ 2 –12 oz) and is about 25 cm (10 in) in length. At the age of one year, it weighs about 4.5 kg (10 lb). Bobcat tracks show four toes without claw marks, due to their retractile claws. The tracks range in size from 25–75 mm (1–3 in);
3773-399: The fully black color evolved over time and was thus selected for over many generations. Melanism, meaning a mutation that results in completely dark skin, does not exist in humans. In humans, the amount of melanin is determined by three dominant alleles (AABBCC), and different ethnicities have varying amounts. Melanin is the primary determinant of the degree of skin pigmentation and protects
3850-418: 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
3927-400: The jaguarundi. Sequencing of the agouti signalling peptide in the agouti gene coding region revealed a 2-base pair deletion in black domestic cats . These variants were absent in melanistic individuals of Geoffroy's cat , oncilla , pampas cat and Asian golden cat , suggesting that melanism arose independently at least four times in the cat family. Melanism in leopards is inherited as
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#17327732646954004-484: The larger felid: displacement of the Canada lynx by the aggressive bobcat has been observed where they interact in Nova Scotia , while the clearing of coniferous forests for agriculture has led to a northward retreat of the Canada lynx's range to the advantage of the bobcat. In northern and central Mexico, the cat is found in dry scrubland and forests of pine and oak; its range ends at the tropical southern portion of
4081-488: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Extant&oldid=1220499441 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Melanism Pseudomelanism, also called abundism, is another variant of pigmentation, identifiable by dark spots or enlarged stripes, which cover
4158-426: The melanin pigment enhances function of immune defences, or a thermal advantage from the darker coloration. Melanistic coat coloration occurs as a common polymorphism in 11 of 37 felid species and reaches high population frequency in some cases but never achieves complete fixation . The black panther , a melanistic leopard , is common in the equatorial rainforest of Malaya and the tropical rainforest on
4235-427: 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. The average lifespan of the bobcat is seven years but rarely exceeds 10 years. The oldest wild bobcat on record
4312-461: 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. It hunts in areas abundant in prey and waits lying or crouching for victims to wander close. It then pounces and grabs
4389-527: The next spring. The adult bobcat has relatively few predators. However rarely, it may be killed in interspecific conflict by several larger predators or fall prey to them. Cougars and gray wolves can kill adult bobcats, a behavior repeatedly observed in Yellowstone National Park . Coyotes have killed adult bobcats and kittens. At least one confirmed observation of a bobcat and an American black bear (Ursus americanus) fighting over
4466-420: The north by glaciers ; the population evolved into the modern bobcat around 20,000 years ago. A second population arrived from Asia and settled in the north, developing into the modern Canada lynx ( L. canadensis ). Hybridization between the bobcat and the Canada lynx may sometimes occur. The populations east and west of the Great Plains were probably separated during Pleistocene interglacial periods due to
4543-498: 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 trumpeter swan are also taken in ambushes while nesting, along with their fledglings and eggs. The bobcat is an opportunistic predator that, unlike
4620-425: The other leading causes of death. Juveniles show high mortality shortly after leaving their mothers, while still perfecting their hunting techniques. One study of 15 bobcats showed yearly survival rates for both sexes averaged 0.62, in line with other research suggesting rates of 0.56 to 0.67. Cannibalism has been reported; kittens may be taken when prey levels are low, but this is very rare and does not much influence
4697-560: The outer extent of its range, such as hollow logs, brush piles, thickets, or under rock ledges. Its den smells strongly of the bobcat. The sizes of bobcats' home ranges vary significantly from 0.596–326 km (0.23–126 sq mi). One study in Kansas found resident males to have ranges of roughly 21 km (8 sq mi), and females less than half that area. Transient bobcats were found to have home ranges of 57 km (22 sq mi) and less well-defined home ranges. Kittens had
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#17327732646954774-402: The population of its prey; other principal factors in the selection of habitat type include protection from severe weather, availability of resting and den sites, dense cover for hunting and escape, and freedom from disturbance. The bobcat's range does not seem to be limited by human populations, but by availability of suitable habitat; only large, intensively cultivated tracts are unsuitable for
4851-431: The population. The bobcat may have external parasites , mostly ticks and fleas, and often carries the parasites of its prey, especially those of rabbits and squirrels. Internal parasites (endoparasites) are especially common in bobcats. One study found an average infection rate of 52% from Toxoplasma gondii , but with great regional variation. One mite in particular, Lynxacarus morlani , has to date been found only on
4928-743: The prey with its sharp, retractable claws. For slightly larger animals, such as geese, ducks, rabbits and hares, it stalks from cover and waits until prey comes within 6 to 11 m (20 to 35 ft) before rushing in to attack. Less commonly, it feeds on larger animals, such as young ungulates , and other carnivores, such as primarily female fishers , gray foxes , American minks , American martens , skunks , raccoons , small dogs and domestic cats . It also hunts rodents such as squirrels , moles , muskrats , mice , but also birds , small sharks , and insects . Bobcats occasional hunt livestock and poultry . While larger species, such as cattle and horses , are not known to be attacked, bobcats do present
5005-435: The rabbit in a tree, the bobcat is persuaded to build a fire, only to have the embers scattered on its fur, leaving it singed with dark brown spots. The Mohave people believed dreaming habitually of beings or objects would afford them their characteristics as supernatural powers. Dreaming of two deities, cougar and lynx, they thought, would grant them the superior hunting skills of other tribes. European-descended inhabitants of
5082-450: The slopes of some African mountains, such as Mount Kenya . The serval also has melanistic forms in certain areas of East Africa . In the jaguarundi , coloration varies from dark brown and gray to light reddish. Melanic forms of jaguar are common in certain parts of South America . In 1938 and 1940, two melanistic bobcats were trapped alive in sub-tropical Florida . In 2003, the dominant mode of inheritance of melanism in jaguars
5159-534: The smallest range at about 8 km (3 sq mi). Dispersal from the natal range is most pronounced with males. Reports on seasonal variation in range size have been equivocal. One study found a large variation in male range sizes, from 41 km (16 sq mi) in summer up to 104 km (40 sq mi) in winter. Another found that female bobcats, especially those which were reproductively active, expanded their home range in winter, but that males merely shifted their range without expanding it, which
5236-456: The species. The animal may appear in back yards in "urban edge" environments, where human development intersects with natural habitats. If chased by a dog, it usually climbs up a tree. The historical range of the bobcat was from southern Canada, throughout the United States, and as far south as the Mexican state of Oaxaca , and it still persists across much of this area. In the 20th century, it
5313-490: The symmetric duality of Old World cultures. The latter notion then, Lévi-Strauss suggests, is the result of regular contact between Europeans and native cultures. Additionally, the version found in the Nez Perce story is of much greater complexity, while the version of equality seems to have lost the tale's original meaning. In a Shawnee tale, the bobcat is outwitted by a rabbit, which gives rise to its spots. After trapping
5390-682: 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
5467-476: 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. The Mexican bobcat L. r. escuinipae was for a time considered endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, but was delisted in 2005. Between 2003 and 2011, a reduction in bobcat sightings in
5544-439: The yellow spots of some sub-species are called xanthophores. It appears that the fully-black phenotypes do not ever develop these xanthophores. Alpine salamanders produce a toxin from their skin, and both fully melanistic, black salamanders and spotted individuals produce the compound. Studies done that traced DNA histories have suggested that the original alpine salamander phenotype was black with some yellow spots, meaning that
5621-498: 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
5698-414: Was confirmed by performing phenotype -transmission analysis in a 116-individual captive pedigree . Melanistic animals were found to carry at least one copy of a mutant MC1R sequence allele , bearing a 15- base pair inframe deletion. Ten unrelated melanistic jaguars were either homozygous or heterozygous for this allele. A 24-base pair deletion causes the incompletely dominant allele for melanism in
5775-439: Was consistent with numerous earlier studies. Other research in various American states has shown little or no seasonal variation. Like most felines, the bobcat is largely solitary, but ranges often overlap. Unusual for cats, males are more tolerant of overlap, while females rarely wander into others' ranges. Given their smaller range sizes, two or more females may reside within a male's home range. When multiple territories overlap,
5852-562: Was spotted on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus . The alpine salamander , Salamandra atra , has one subspecies ( S. atra atra ) that is completely black. The pigment comes from a specific cell called a melanophore, which produce the compound melanin. There are four other subspecies of this salamander, and they have varying levels of melanin pigmentation. The subspecies have yellow spots in different concentrations or proportions. The pigment-producing cells that contribute to
5929-621: Was thought to have lost territory in the US Midwest and parts of the Northeast, including southern Minnesota, eastern South Dakota, and much of Missouri, mostly due to habitat changes from modern agricultural practices. While thought to no longer exist in western New York and Pennsylvania, multiple confirmed sightings of bobcats (including dead specimens) have been recently reported in New York's Southern Tier and in central New York , and
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