2012 1c Bobcat, coil

U.S. #4672

2012 1¢ Bobcat

Issue Date: June 1, 2012

Bobcats live in all types of terrain from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Though rarely seen, they have coexisted with humans for centuries. 

Though a large city may not be a proper home, bobcats can thrive in most locations that have adequate prey and safe places to sleep. In March 2010, a young male tried to add Houston, Texas, to his list of suitable habitats. Morning commuters were surprised to find the three-foot long cat hiding under cars in a parking garage. Animal control officials were able to catch the healthy animal and release it in a local state park. 

The elusive bobcat is the subject of Native American legends. The Mohave Indians knew the bobcat’s excellent senses and stealth made it a superior hunter. They believed dreaming about the cat would give them comparable hunting skills. The Pawnee thought the bobcat was associated with the stars, because it hunts at night. Parents wrapped their babies in bobcat furs to bring blessings from the sky.

The bobcat continues to thrive in its large range, in spite of ever-growing human populations. Encountering a bobcat is a memorable event for those lucky enough to catch a fleeting glimpse of its characteristically short tail.