bobcat (wild cat or red lynx) Vicious, short-tailed cat found throughout swamp, forest and grassland regions of the USA, s Canada, and Central America. Its reddish-brown coat has black spots with white underparts. The bobcat feeds on rodents and gives birth to 2–4 young following a gestation period of 50–60 days. Length: body 64–76cm (25–30in). Family Felidae; species Lynx rufus.

bob·cat / ˈbäbˌkat/ • n. a small North American cat (Lynx rufus) with a barred and spotted coat and a short tail.