Wild Cat Species and Distribution - North America The Bobcat,
although it does not bare the family name is a distinct species
in the Lynx genus. However although the canadian lynx and the
bobcat share some of the same territory, the bobcat is perhaps
more closely related to the Eurasian and Spanish lynx , having
spread into North America from Asia earlier than its canadian
relative. It is thought that the original bobcats were much
larger than at present and have perhaps reduced in size as a
result of competition with early puma species, so as to now take
advantage of a different niche in the predatory food chain. In
comparison with the canadian lynx the bobcat is generally
smaller and although it shares many of the common lynx
characteristics, it can be differentiated from the lynx in a
number of ways. The bobcat has less pronounced ear tufts and
cheek ruffs, a dark tip covering only the top of its 'stumpy'
tail, much smaller feet, and a generally more patterned and
varied coat coloration. Ground fur colour