Bobcats are an important natural resource in Massachusetts. Although some young fall prey to owls, coyotes, and adult male bobcats, food abundance is the primary factor affecting the survival of both kittens and juvenile bobcats. Bobcats live an average of twelve years in the wild and females continue to produce one litter per year until death. Males do not reach sexual maturity until two years of age. Females reach sexual maturity at one year of age, although they do not typically produce their first litter until two years of age. The young remain with the adult female until they are full grown, usually through their first fall or winter. ![]() At one month of age, the young begin taking solid food and venturing from the den. The female nurses the kittens until they reach two months of age. Females may use the same den sites for several years in a row. ![]() Dens are located in rock crevices, under rocky ledges, in caves, in brush piles, or in hollow trees, stumps, or logs. The kittens are born in a den lined with dried grass, leaves, moss, and other soft vegetation that the female scrapes into the den. At birth, the kittens are blind and helpless but have a thick coat of spotted fur. ![]() The female is the exclusive provider and the male does not participate in raising the young. Females produce one litter each year consisting of 1–4 kittens, with an average litter size of 2. The young are born after a 62-day gestation period in April or May. They are polygamous and do not form lasting pair bonds. Bobcats breed from February through March.
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