We don’t hear a lot about the “Coyote and Bobcat” feuds, but they’re happening all of the time, without question. Coyotes and bobcats occupy a lot of the same territory and compete for similar prey sources. When prey is low and the time is right, these canine and feline counterparts might even see one another as food sources. Before we take a look at the video, let’s first discuss these two species and the context of the scene.
What’s Happening in This Video?
The video starts with a lone bobcat, clearly on alert. Bobcats are native to North America, reaching from parts of northwestern Canada down into southern Mexico. Although they cover a lot of territory, they do it in secret. Unless you live in a densely populated area, it’s rare that you’ll see a bobcat anywhere across greater North America. You might see one skirt into the woods as you drive by, or you might even encounter one on a hike, but the odds are low. That’s because bobcats, like mountain lions, lynxes, and other big cats of North America, are smart. They stay out of the way unless it’s safe. If they do get in your way, that means they think it’s safe for them (and that means it might be unsafe for you). In any case, it’s probably a good thing we don’t see a lot of bobcat activity in our daily lives. They’re about four times larger than the average house cat. Note that housecats are perfectly designed predators, and your average housecat could really mess up your day if it wanted to. A bobcat could do significantly more damage.
How About Coyotes?
Bobcats aren’t powerful enough to confidently take on two coyotes, though. Coyotes are another mid-sized predator native to the majority of North America. Again, these guys do things in the shadows—give or take a few shrieks and screams now and then. They also happen to be roughly the same size and weight as bobcats. The key difference is that bobcats hunt alone and coyotes do not. Coyotes can take down cattle if they’re determined to, whereas bobcats mostly hunt rabbits, rodents, and other small mammals. Large, confident bobcats have been known to take down deer, though, so they’re not easy prey by any means. That’s what makes the scene in this video so engaging: you’re seeing two predator species of equal size and ability facing off. The only catch is that there are two coyotes. While the clip is short, it still illuminates how these animals operate, as well as the quick and interesting abilities they have to do what they can in order to survive.
