Texas Hill Country bobcat sighting prompts wildlife safety tips

The Kyle Police Department says the bobcat was spotted on Tuesday evening, May 14, at the Cool Springs Trail. The department says the original report believed the bobcat was a mountain lion, but Texas Park and Wildlife later confirmed it to be a bobcat.

TPWD describes bobcats as medium-sized, about twice the size of a domestic cat, with a short tail, long legs, and large feet that are reddish brown or grayish. Officials say the cat has small tufts at the tips of its ears, and its fur is longer on the sides of its head than on the rest of its body. 

Kyle’s Animal Control Division shared tips to residents to keep themselves and their animals safe when around wildlife. They are as follows: 

To avoid future confusion, the Kyle Police Department also shared an animal sizing reference that shows the clear size differences between a mountain lion and a bobcat. The graphic also shows how big the wildlife compares in size between humans, dogs, and cats. 

Additionally, Officials encourage anyone with questions to contact the Animal Control Division at  kpd-aco@cityofkyle.com