Meet the bobcat and coyote, two of the most adaptable and elusive animals in Texas.
These predators thrive in natural areas and urban green spaces, but misunderstandings by the community can put them at risk. Learn more about bobcats and coyotes, what to do when you encounter them, and why it’s important for us to coexist with wildlife.
Bobcats are medium-sized wildcats weighing 15-30 pounds. In Texas, we have two subspecies: the desert bobcat in the west and northwest, and the Texas bobcat, which ranges across the rest of the state. These cats prefer natural areas and are often found near creeks and riverbeds. Urban bobcats are opportunistic hunters and commonly eat small mammals like rats, rabbits, and squirrels.
Have you heard coyotes in your area? The Latin name for the coyote means “singing dog” – these animals have 11 different vocalizations, so one breeding pair can sound like a large group of coyotes!
These canids weigh 25-45 pounds and are often found near creeks, parks, and floodplains. Coyotes are omnivorous and will eat fruits, nuts, small mammals, and food scraps. Resident coyotes are territorial, with a breeding pair maintaining a home range up to several square miles.
Bobcats and coyotes are here to stay. They are adaptable and have established populations across Texas. Treating them with respect keeps people, pets, and local wildlife safe.
From Texas Parks and Wildlife and other local wildlife authorities, here are some tips for coexisting with our wild neighbors:
Remove Food Sources
- Never intentionally feed wild carnivores.
- Feed pets indoors and do not feed feral cats.
- Secure trash with a locking lid or bungee cord and take it out the morning of pickup.
Secure Pets
- Keep your pets indoors.
- When outdoors supervise your pets, and keep dogs on-leash within six feet of you.
- Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date.
Discourage Carnivore Visitors
- Close off crawl spaces in attics and below decks.
- Add a ribbed coyote roller to your fence to prevent coyotes and bobcats from climbing fences to enter your yard.
- Use deterrents like motion-activated sprinklers or radio noise.
Coyotes and bobcats are part of nature, and their ability to thrive and raise families in landscapes dominated by people reminds us of the wonderful resilience of wild animals. These carnivores also play an important role in the ecosystem by keeping prey populations in check, and eating invasive rodents that spread disease and pose pest control problems for Texas homeowners and businesses.