Lynxes in Michigan: The Difference Between a Lynx and a Bobcat

Wild cats in Michigan? You better believe it.

Over the years we’ve been subjected to videos taken by Michiganders of their confrontations and sightings of cougars (a/k/a pumas and mountain lions). Rarer are sightings of Bobcats and even rarer are panthers. Yeah, there are a couple of photos online of what appears to be possible black panthers skulking through private property

But what about the lynx? Yup. Spotting a lynx seems to be the most rare, but nevertheless, they have been recorded. The very few residents who have recorded footage of a lynx have spotted them strolling through their properties: “Grab the phone, Erma! There’s a wildcat out here!”

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How can you tell whether you’re seeing a lynx or a bobcat? What’s the difference?

Bobcats have longer tails.
Lynx have higher hips, higher than their heads.
Bobcats have more, darker spots.
Lynx have longer tufts of fur on their ears.
Bobcats have rings on their tails.
Lynx have longer legs.
Bobcats have smaller paws.
Lynx have more fur underneath their paws.
Both have black tips on their tails, except the bobcat has some white underneath the tip.

According to Michigan State University, there have only been three confirmed lynx sightings since 2003 and is a federally threatened species.

Below are still shots taken from videos that show a couple of lynx promenading through private property...one in Lexington and another in Grand Marais near Isle Royale...

MORE STUFF:

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2019/02/28/michigan-dnr-confirms-rare-lynx-sighting-caught-on-video/#:~:text=According%20to%20Michigan%20State%20University,as%20a%20federally%20threatened%20species.