The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a North American mammal of the cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago. It is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges & swampland environments. The Bobcat has a gray to brown coat, whiskered face & black-tufted ears. It has distinctive black bars on its forelegs & a black-tipped, stubby tail. The adult bobcat is 47.5 - 125 cm (18.7 - 49 in) long from the head to the base of the tail, averaging 82.7 cm (32.6 in); the stubby tail adds 9 - 20 cm (3.5 - 7.9 in). An adult stands about 30 - 60 cm (12 - 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 4.1 - 15.3 kg (9.0 - 34 lb), with an average of 6.8 kg (15 lb). The largest bobcat accurately measured on record weighed 22.2 kg (49 lb), although there are unverified reports of them reaching 27 kg (60 lb). Though the bobcat prefers rabbits & hares, it will hunt anything from insects & small rodents to deer. Prey selection depends on location & habitat, season & abundance. Like most cats, the bobcat is territorial & largely solitary. The species is considered endangered in Ohio, Indiana & New Jersey.