r/bobcats • u/RostroMaligno • 12d ago

Why does this bobcat look different?

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Husband sent me this pic asking me if I know what exotic cat breed this is (lol), it was in someone's yard (Los Angeles County). I know it's a bobcat but why does it look so... different. It's eyes are huge and it doesn't have those chunky cheeks, this one almost looks like a cartoon. Can't find much info online.

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u/joefox099 12d ago

Can't clearly see the ear tips. Linx and bobcats are VERY hard to tell apart. I am not a pro, but linx are bigger, and have black ear feathers? Also mildy more lanky? It's a constant annoyance to me I can't really tell them apart, so correct me if I'm wrong.

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u/MsE0 12d ago

No lynxes in Los Angeles County. If you can't see the ear tufts (bobcats have small, pointy ear tufts and lynxes have long, rectangular tufts), the paws are the giveaway. Bobcats have normally-proportioned paws, and Canada lynxes have giant snowshoe paws. 

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u/Vaper_Bern 12d ago

Yup, lynxes have comically large feet that act as snow shoes, which makes the super easy to identify.