You're scrolling through a nature photography group and see a photo of a tufted ear and a stubby tail. One person comments "cute bobcat!" while another immediately corrects them, insisting it’s a Canada lynx. It happens all the time. Honestly, telling these two apart from bobcat and lynx pictures can be a total headache if you don't know the specific anatomical "tells" that separate a backyard visitor from a deep-forest ghost. These cats are cousins, both belonging to the Lynx genus, but they live very different lives.
I’ve spent years looking at trail cam footage and high-res wildlife photography. Most people think it’s just about the size. It isn't. A big male bobcat can actually outweigh a small female lynx. To really know what you’re looking at, you have to look at the "socks" and the tail tip.
The Dead Giveaway in the Tail
If you want to settle an argument over bobcat and lynx pictures instantly, look at the tail. It’s the most reliable field mark. A Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) has a tail that looks like it was dipped in a jar of black ink. The black color goes all the way around the tip, top and bottom. It's a solid, dark cap.
Bobcats (Lynx rufus) play by different rules. Their tails are banded with black stripes on the top, but the very tip is usually white on the underside. If you see a flash of white as the cat runs away, you’re looking at a bobcat. It's a small detail. It matters.
Why the Feet Look So Different in Photos
Ever notice how some cats look like they’re wearing oversized clown shoes? That’s a lynx. Because they live in regions with massive snowfall—think Alaska, Canada, and the high Rockies—they evolved built-in snowshoes. Their paws are enormous, often twice the size of a bobcat's paw, and covered in thick, coarse fur that creates more surface area. This allows them to stay on top of the powder while chasing their primary prey, the snowshoe hare.
Bobcats have much smaller, tighter paws. They are built for variety. They live in swamps, deserts, and suburban backyards from Southern Canada down to Mexico. They don’t need snowshoes because they aren't deep-snow specialists. In bobcat and lynx pictures, a bobcat’s legs will look more proportional, almost like a very muscular house cat, whereas a lynx looks "leggy" and a bit awkward on dry ground.
Ear Tufts and Face Ruff: The Visual Drama
Both cats have those iconic ear tufts, which scientists believe act like hearing aids to funnel sound or help break up their silhouette in the brush. But the lynx takes it to the extreme. A Canada lynx generally has tufts that exceed an inch in length. They are prominent. They are dramatic.
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The facial ruff is another big clue. Lynx have long hair hanging from their jowls that looks like a messy Victorian beard. It gives their head a triangular shape. Bobcats have ruffs too, but they are shorter and more groomed-looking.
Quick Visual Checklist for Identification
- Ear Tufts: Long and dramatic? Likely a lynx. Short or subtle? Probably a bobcat.
- Leg Length: Are the back legs significantly longer than the front, making the cat's hips look high? That’s a lynx trait.
- Coat Color: Bobcats are usually more "colorful." They have reddish-brown tones, distinct spots, and streaks. Lynx are more "ghostly"—a silvery-grey coat that helps them disappear into a snowy forest.
- Habitat Context: If the photo was taken in a Texas desert, it is 100% a bobcat. Lynx simply don't live there.
The Snowshoe Hare Connection
You can't talk about these cats without talking about what they eat. The Canada lynx is a specialist. Their entire population cycle is linked to the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). When hare populations crash every 10 years or so, lynx populations follow suit. They are so specialized that they struggle to survive in areas where hares are scarce.
Bobcats are the ultimate generalists. They are the survivors. They’ll eat rabbits, squirrels, birds, fawns, and even large insects if they have to. This flexibility is why you see so many more bobcat and lynx pictures from suburban areas. A bobcat is perfectly happy living in a greenbelt behind a shopping mall as long as there are enough squirrels to keep it fed. A lynx would find that environment stressful and confusing.
Distribution: Where Are You Looking?
Geography is your best friend for identification. While their ranges overlap in places like Washington, Montana, and Maine, they generally occupy different niches.
- The Boreal Specialist: The Canada lynx is almost exclusively found in the massive boreal forests of the North. In the lower 48 states, they are rare and protected under the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species.
- The Continental King: The bobcat is everywhere. It is the most widely distributed wild cat in North America.
If you see a photo from the Appalachian Mountains or the Florida Everglades, don't even guess lynx. It's a bobcat. Even in the North, bobcats are slowly moving further into lynx territory as winters become milder and forest management changes. This "encroachment" is actually a point of concern for some biologists, as bobcats can outcompete lynx when there isn't deep snow to give the lynx a mechanical advantage.
Common Photography Misconceptions
One thing that trips people up in bobcat and lynx pictures is lighting. A bobcat in the harsh winter sun can look washed out and grey, mimicking the coat of a lynx. Similarly, a young lynx might not have developed its full "beard" yet, leading people to think it’s a bobcat.
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Perspective also lies. A bobcat standing in short grass might look huge, while a lynx in deep snow might look small because its legs are buried. Always look for the tail tip and the paw-to-body ratio before making a call.
Real-World Conflict and Conservation
It’s not just about cool photos. Identifying these cats correctly is vital for conservation. Because Canada lynx are federally protected in the U.S., hunters and trappers need to be incredibly careful. Accidental "incidental take" of lynx is a major issue in states like Maine and Minnesota where both species live.
Wildlife agencies spend a lot of money on education programs to ensure people don't mistake a lynx for a bobcat during hunting seasons. They use many of the same markers we discussed: the solid black tail tip and the massive furry paws.
How to Get Better Bobcat and Lynx Pictures
If you’re a photographer trying to capture these elusive predators, you need patience and a lot of luck. Bobcats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They love "edge" habitats—where the woods meet a field or a road.
Lynx are even tougher. They are true wilderness animals. To find them, you usually have to head to high-elevation spruce-fir forests. Look for tracks first. A lynx track is nearly the size of a mountain lion's track, but much "fuzzier" because of all that foot hair. A bobcat track is cleaner, smaller, and shows more defined toe pads.
Essential Gear for Wild Cat Photography
- Long Telephoto Lens: You want at least 400mm or 600mm. These cats have incredible eyesight and will spot you long before you spot them.
- Silent Shutter: The "click" of a mechanical shutter can send a cat bolted into the brush. Use electronic shutter modes.
- Trail Cameras: For most people, this is the best way to get bobcat and lynx pictures. Set them up near natural funnels like fallen logs over creeks or narrow game trails.
The Hybridization Mystery
Here’s a weird fact: they sometimes interbreed. "Bonlyx" or "Lynxcats" have been documented in the wild, particularly in places like Maine and New Brunswick. These hybrids often show a confusing mix of traits—maybe the large paws of a lynx but the spotted coat and white-tipped tail of a bobcat. This makes identification via photo almost impossible without DNA testing. It’s rare, but it happens when ranges overlap and mates are scarce.
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Putting Your Knowledge to Use
Next time you see a grainy image online, don't just look at the ears. Check the tail. Look at the feet. Ask where the photo was taken.
If the tail has a white underside at the tip, it's a bobcat.
If the tail is tipped in solid black like it was dipped in paint, it's a lynx.
If the feet look like huge mittens, it's a lynx.
If it’s spotted and reddish, it’s likely a bobcat.
Understanding these nuances makes you more than just a casual observer. It gives you a window into how these animals have adapted to their specific corners of the wilderness.
To improve your identification skills, start by browsing verified databases like iNaturalist or the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (they sometimes have mammal data too). Compare the sightings in your specific zip code to see which species is more likely to show up on your own trail camera. If you're in a known overlap zone, pay extra attention to the tail markings during the winter months when coats are at their thickest and most deceptive.
Most importantly, if you are lucky enough to encounter one of these cats in the wild, keep your distance. Use your zoom lens, stay quiet, and appreciate the fact that you're seeing one of North America's most secretive predators in its element.