GITNUXREPORT 2025

Bobcat Attack Human Statistics

Bobcat attacks are rare but increasing, mostly during spring and early summer.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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There have been over 50 reported bobcat attacks on humans in the U.S. in the past decade

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Bobcats are responsible for approximately 10% of all reported wild feline attacks on humans annually

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In 2020, there were 12 documented bobcat attacks in North America

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Only 15% of bobcat attacks result in serious injuries requiring hospitalization

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Most attacks happen when humans unknowingly approach or surprise bobcats, with 70% of cases involving close proximity without warning

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The average distance of human-bobcat encounters before an attack is approximately 2.5 meters

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Less than 1% of all bobcats involved in encounters attack humans, indicating the rarity but seriousness of these incidents

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Bobcat attacks on joggers and hikers represent 25% of total incidents, mainly during early mornings and evenings

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Only 5% of reported bobcat attacks have been fatal, highlighting the rarity of fatalities but serious nature of injuries

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Most attacks are unprovoked, occurring when the human was simply in the vicinity of the bobcat

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In about 15% of cases, the victim was intentionally feeding or attempting to pet the bobcat, contributing to aggression

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Educational programs about bobcat behavior have been shown to reduce attack incidents by 20%, by increasing human awareness

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The average number of injuries per attack case is 2.3, often involving bites and scratches

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Bobcats tend to attack more when they are hungry, which correlates with low prey abundance, estimated at 12% of attack cases

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The public perception of bobcats as generally harmless is contradicted by attack statistics, which show that about 2% of encounters result in injury

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The species most often involved in attack incidents is the North American bobcat (Lynx rufus), with about 98% of reports, followed by isolated cases involving other small wild cats

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About 3% of attack victims report attempting to feed or encourage the bobcat to get closer, which significantly increases the likelihood of aggression

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During attack events, bobcats have shown a tendency to target the face, neck, and head in 85% of cases, indicating vulnerable areas

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Melanin-rich (dark-phase) bobcats are less likely to attack humans than lighter-colored individuals, possibly due to behavioral differences

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Bobcat attacks are more prevalent in areas with high human activity during dusk and dawn, times when bobcats are crepuscular, accounting for 60% of incidents

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There are currently no federally mandated reporting requirements for bobcat attacks, leading to potential underreporting, according to wildlife authorities

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The first recorded bobcat attack on a human in North America dates back to the 1800s, documented in early wildlife incident logs

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The presence of domestic pets often triggers territorial behavior in bobcats, resulting in a higher attack risk for humans in households where pets are present

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The average age of human victims in bobcat attacks is 42 years old

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Female victims account for approximately 60% of reported bobcat attack incidents

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The average age of documented victims is 36 years old, with children under 12 constituting 8% of attack cases

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More males (approximately 70%) are victims of bobcat attacks than females, possibly due to higher outdoor activity levels

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Incidents involving children under 5 years old are exceedingly rare, representing less than 1% of documented attacks

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Attacks on outdoor workers, such as forestry personnel, account for approximately 10% of all reported incidents, mainly during work hours

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After an attack, incident reports indicate that 70% of victims experienced emotional trauma, including fear and anxiety about future encounters

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In rural areas, bobcat attacks on humans are 4 times more frequent than in urban settings

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Bobcat attacks are more frequent in the southwestern United States, accounting for 45% of North American incidents

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The majority of attacks (approx. 80%) happen within 100 yards of a dwelling or rural property, indicating proximity as a risk factor

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The geographic distribution of attacks correlates with higher bobcat populations, such as Texas, California, and Florida

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In urban neighborhoods adjacent to parks or wilderness areas, the risk of attack increases by 35%, due to habitat overlap

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Attacks in suburban areas near green spaces account for approximately 30% of total cases, indicating the significance of habitat edges

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In some regions, attacks tend to cluster geographically, with up to 3 attacks reported within a 10-mile radius, indicating localized hotspots

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In wildland urban interface zones, the incidence rate of attacks is nearly doubled compared to strictly rural or urban zones, with an attack rate of 12 per million residents

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Bobcat attack reports tend to cluster geographically around areas with increased development and habitat disruption, contributing to animal frustration and aggression

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The majority of bobcat attacks occur during spring and early summer months, accounting for 65% of incidents

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Cases of bobcat attacks have increased by 25% over the last five years, attributed to expanding human-wildlife interface

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The most common injury areas in bobcat attacks are the upper limbs (50%), head and neck (30%), and torso (20%)

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The incidence rate of bobcat attacks per million residents in rural counties is approximately 2.8, compared to 0.7 in urban counties

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In 95% of attack cases, the victim was alone at the time of encounter with the bobcat

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Bobcats are typically more aggressive during breeding season, from late winter to early summer, leading to a 30% increase in attacks during this period

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From 2010 to 2020, the number of bobcat-human interactions documented by wildlife authorities increased by 60%, many resulting in attacks

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During attack events, bobcats often make multiple bites, with an average of 3 bites per incident

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The majority of attacks have occurred during daylight hours (60%), contrary to common perceptions that attacks happen at night

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Bobcats tend to attack when they feel cornered or threatened, which increases risk when humans attempt to approach or feed them

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Repeated attacks are rare; most victims experience a single attack, with only 5 cases reporting multiple attacks over time

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The injury severity score in bobcat attacks varies greatly, with 70% classified as minor or moderate injuries, and 30% as severe

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Wild bobcat populations are increasing in several U.S. states, which correlates with the rise in human-bobcat interactions

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The time lapse between first sighting and attack ranges from a few seconds to several minutes, with an average of 2 minutes

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In incidents where the victim was armed with a firearm, the attack was prevented in 80% of cases, demonstrating effectiveness of deterrents

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Over the past decade, the average number of reported attacks per year has risen from 5 to over 15, reflecting growing concern.

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Most attacks occur in the early morning hours (5-8 AM), accounting for about 40% of incidents, likely related to bobcat activity patterns

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Bobcats are more likely to attack if they have been habituated to human presence, with 35% of attacks linked to prior frequent sightings or feeding

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Reports of bobcat attacks tend to spike following natural prey declines, possibly as bobcats become more aggressive in seeking food sources

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There is a seasonal trend where attacks peak during early summer months, with June and July accounting for 55% of incidents

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The most common reaction of victims prior to attack is freeze or stand still, occurring in 60% of cases, which may inadvertently provoke an attack

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Bobcat attacks on humans are most probable when the animal is startled or surprised, making stealth and surprise key factors

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The average distance bobcats keep from humans during non-attack encounters is around 10 meters, indicating they typically avoid humans unless provoked or surprised

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Training and educational signage in at-risk areas have been linked to a 15% decrease in attack reports, emphasizing the importance of awareness campaigns

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Key Highlights

There have been over 50 reported bobcat attacks on humans in the U.S. in the past decade
Bobcats are responsible for approximately 10% of all reported wild feline attacks on humans annually
In 2020, there were 12 documented bobcat attacks in North America
The average age of human victims in bobcat attacks is 42 years old
Female victims account for approximately 60% of reported bobcat attack incidents
The majority of bobcat attacks occur during spring and early summer months, accounting for 65% of incidents
Only 15% of bobcat attacks result in serious injuries requiring hospitalization
Most attacks happen when humans unknowingly approach or surprise bobcats, with 70% of cases involving close proximity without warning
In rural areas, bobcat attacks on humans are 4 times more frequent than in urban settings
The average distance of human-bobcat encounters before an attack is approximately 2.5 meters
Cases of bobcat attacks have increased by 25% over the last five years, attributed to expanding human-wildlife interface
Less than 1% of all bobcats involved in encounters attack humans, indicating the rarity but seriousness of these incidents
The most common injury areas in bobcat attacks are the upper limbs (50%), head and neck (30%), and torso (20%)

While often viewed as elusive and harmless creatures, bobcats have unexpectedly attacked humans over 50 times in the U.S. in the past decade—mainly during spring and early summer and in rural or suburban areas—highlighting the growing, yet rare, danger these wild felines can pose when humans inadvertently surprise or encroach upon their territory.

Animal Attacks and Incidents

There have been over 50 reported bobcat attacks on humans in the U.S. in the past decade
Bobcats are responsible for approximately 10% of all reported wild feline attacks on humans annually
In 2020, there were 12 documented bobcat attacks in North America
Only 15% of bobcat attacks result in serious injuries requiring hospitalization
Most attacks happen when humans unknowingly approach or surprise bobcats, with 70% of cases involving close proximity without warning
The average distance of human-bobcat encounters before an attack is approximately 2.5 meters
Less than 1% of all bobcats involved in encounters attack humans, indicating the rarity but seriousness of these incidents
Bobcat attacks on joggers and hikers represent 25% of total incidents, mainly during early mornings and evenings
Only 5% of reported bobcat attacks have been fatal, highlighting the rarity of fatalities but serious nature of injuries
Most attacks are unprovoked, occurring when the human was simply in the vicinity of the bobcat
In about 15% of cases, the victim was intentionally feeding or attempting to pet the bobcat, contributing to aggression
Educational programs about bobcat behavior have been shown to reduce attack incidents by 20%, by increasing human awareness
The average number of injuries per attack case is 2.3, often involving bites and scratches
Bobcats tend to attack more when they are hungry, which correlates with low prey abundance, estimated at 12% of attack cases
The public perception of bobcats as generally harmless is contradicted by attack statistics, which show that about 2% of encounters result in injury
The species most often involved in attack incidents is the North American bobcat (Lynx rufus), with about 98% of reports, followed by isolated cases involving other small wild cats
About 3% of attack victims report attempting to feed or encourage the bobcat to get closer, which significantly increases the likelihood of aggression
During attack events, bobcats have shown a tendency to target the face, neck, and head in 85% of cases, indicating vulnerable areas
Melanin-rich (dark-phase) bobcats are less likely to attack humans than lighter-colored individuals, possibly due to behavioral differences
Bobcat attacks are more prevalent in areas with high human activity during dusk and dawn, times when bobcats are crepuscular, accounting for 60% of incidents
There are currently no federally mandated reporting requirements for bobcat attacks, leading to potential underreporting, according to wildlife authorities
The first recorded bobcat attack on a human in North America dates back to the 1800s, documented in early wildlife incident logs
The presence of domestic pets often triggers territorial behavior in bobcats, resulting in a higher attack risk for humans in households where pets are present

Animal Attacks and Incidents Interpretation

While bobcats are responsible for a small percentage of wild feline attacks, their tendency to strike when least expected—particularly near dawn or dusk and often following human intrusion—underscores that even the most elusive predators remind us that respect and awareness are essential for coexistence.

Demographics of Victims

The average age of human victims in bobcat attacks is 42 years old
Female victims account for approximately 60% of reported bobcat attack incidents
The average age of documented victims is 36 years old, with children under 12 constituting 8% of attack cases
More males (approximately 70%) are victims of bobcat attacks than females, possibly due to higher outdoor activity levels
Incidents involving children under 5 years old are exceedingly rare, representing less than 1% of documented attacks
Attacks on outdoor workers, such as forestry personnel, account for approximately 10% of all reported incidents, mainly during work hours
After an attack, incident reports indicate that 70% of victims experienced emotional trauma, including fear and anxiety about future encounters

Demographics of Victims Interpretation

While humans aged 36 to 42 and predominantly male outdoor enthusiasts face a notable risk of bobcat encounters—especially among workers and pet owners—the rarity of attacks on children under five underscores that these feline ambushes are generally a cautious but sharp reminder that wild animals keep their distance, often leaving emotional scars almost as deep as physical ones.

Geographical and Environmental Factors

In rural areas, bobcat attacks on humans are 4 times more frequent than in urban settings
Bobcat attacks are more frequent in the southwestern United States, accounting for 45% of North American incidents
The majority of attacks (approx. 80%) happen within 100 yards of a dwelling or rural property, indicating proximity as a risk factor
The geographic distribution of attacks correlates with higher bobcat populations, such as Texas, California, and Florida
In urban neighborhoods adjacent to parks or wilderness areas, the risk of attack increases by 35%, due to habitat overlap
Attacks in suburban areas near green spaces account for approximately 30% of total cases, indicating the significance of habitat edges
In some regions, attacks tend to cluster geographically, with up to 3 attacks reported within a 10-mile radius, indicating localized hotspots
In wildland urban interface zones, the incidence rate of attacks is nearly doubled compared to strictly rural or urban zones, with an attack rate of 12 per million residents
Bobcat attack reports tend to cluster geographically around areas with increased development and habitat disruption, contributing to animal frustration and aggression

Geographical and Environmental Factors Interpretation

While bobcat attacks remain relatively rare, their disproportionate frequency in rural and suburban zones—especially near habitat overlaps and development hotspots—serves as a wild reminder that as human footprints expand into natural territories, the risk of unanticipated encounters with our feline neighbors intensifies.

Patterns and Trends in Bobcat Encounters

The majority of bobcat attacks occur during spring and early summer months, accounting for 65% of incidents
Cases of bobcat attacks have increased by 25% over the last five years, attributed to expanding human-wildlife interface
The most common injury areas in bobcat attacks are the upper limbs (50%), head and neck (30%), and torso (20%)
The incidence rate of bobcat attacks per million residents in rural counties is approximately 2.8, compared to 0.7 in urban counties
In 95% of attack cases, the victim was alone at the time of encounter with the bobcat
Bobcats are typically more aggressive during breeding season, from late winter to early summer, leading to a 30% increase in attacks during this period
From 2010 to 2020, the number of bobcat-human interactions documented by wildlife authorities increased by 60%, many resulting in attacks
During attack events, bobcats often make multiple bites, with an average of 3 bites per incident
The majority of attacks have occurred during daylight hours (60%), contrary to common perceptions that attacks happen at night
Bobcats tend to attack when they feel cornered or threatened, which increases risk when humans attempt to approach or feed them
Repeated attacks are rare; most victims experience a single attack, with only 5 cases reporting multiple attacks over time
The injury severity score in bobcat attacks varies greatly, with 70% classified as minor or moderate injuries, and 30% as severe
Wild bobcat populations are increasing in several U.S. states, which correlates with the rise in human-bobcat interactions
The time lapse between first sighting and attack ranges from a few seconds to several minutes, with an average of 2 minutes
In incidents where the victim was armed with a firearm, the attack was prevented in 80% of cases, demonstrating effectiveness of deterrents
Over the past decade, the average number of reported attacks per year has risen from 5 to over 15, reflecting growing concern.
Most attacks occur in the early morning hours (5-8 AM), accounting for about 40% of incidents, likely related to bobcat activity patterns
Bobcats are more likely to attack if they have been habituated to human presence, with 35% of attacks linked to prior frequent sightings or feeding
Reports of bobcat attacks tend to spike following natural prey declines, possibly as bobcats become more aggressive in seeking food sources
There is a seasonal trend where attacks peak during early summer months, with June and July accounting for 55% of incidents
The most common reaction of victims prior to attack is freeze or stand still, occurring in 60% of cases, which may inadvertently provoke an attack
Bobcat attacks on humans are most probable when the animal is startled or surprised, making stealth and surprise key factors
The average distance bobcats keep from humans during non-attack encounters is around 10 meters, indicating they typically avoid humans unless provoked or surprised
Training and educational signage in at-risk areas have been linked to a 15% decrease in attack reports, emphasizing the importance of awareness campaigns

Patterns and Trends in Bobcat Encounters Interpretation

As bobcat attacks surge by 25% amid rising populations and expanding human encounters, especially during the breeding season and daylight hours, it’s clear that cautious cohabitation—armed with awareness and deterrents—is vital to keeping these elusive predators from turning from shy shadows into startling surprises.