River Mountains Loop Trail

Facebook icon

  • Home
  • About
  • Trailheads and Maps
    • Trailheads in Boulder City
    • Trailheads in Henderson
    • Trailheads in Lake Mead NRA
  • History
    • Geology of the River Mountains
    • A -Desert Tortoise – Do’s & Dont’s
    • Keep It Clean
  • Blog
    • Recently on Facebook
  • Contact
    • Contact List
You are here: Home / Blog / Bobcats – Roam the River Mountains

12/17/2010 by Editor

Bobcats – Roam the River Mountains

 

Bobcat in the wild.

Bobcat, (felis rufus) file photo

Since the subject of wildcats has come up this week lets talk about the real wildcat of the River Mountains area. More specifically called the “Bobcat” (Felis rufus or Lynx rufus).  The Bobcat is rarely spotted or seen by humans as they are very elusive and nocturnal. This cat is named for its tail, which appears to be cut off  or “bobbed.”  His other identifying feature is his “tufted” ears.  A bobcat is generally twice the size of your house cat and has long legs, large paws, is brownish in color with a white underbelly.

Bobcats are fierce hunters and can kill prey much bigger than themselves, but generally eat rabbits, birds, mice, rats, squirrels and other smaller game.  With there close proximity to urban develop around the River Mountains they may also enjoy house cats and small dogs from time to time.

Bobcats are solitary animals.  Females choose dens in secluded areas to raise a litter of kittens ranging in number from one to six.  The kittens will remain with their mother up to 12-months while learning to hunt before heading out on their own. Bobcats may range an area up to 80-square miles or an area that is less than one square mile, depending on food availability.

In the River Mountains Bobcats have been seen feeding on Desert Big Horn Sheep lambs in the spring.

If you are ever hiking alone in the River Mountains and all of a sudden you get that feeling that you are not alone – that something is watching you and chills run up and down your back – Bobcat!

Filed Under: Blog, wildlife Tagged With: Bobcat, Desert Big Horn Sheep, Felix rufus, Lynx rufus

« Mountain Lion sighted Near Trail
A Destination Trail »

Recent Blog Posts

Dogs on the Trail

Las Vegas Hiking Trail Featured in Article

Las Vegas Hiking Trail Featured in Article

Pacifica trail head Boulder City on the new trail website.

New Trail Website

Be Sure to Visit

Latest Posts on Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
River Mountains Loop Trail
3 weeks ago
River Mountains Loop Trail

Thanks to Stephanie Forte for writing this great piece for the Rails to Trails Conservancy about the RMLT!

www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2023/may/05/nevada-s-river-mountains-loop-trail/
... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 16
  • Shares: 2
  • Comments: 1

Comment on Facebook

Yes, thank you Stephanie...

River Mountains Loop Trail
4 weeks ago
River Mountains Loop Trail

www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2023/may/05/nevada-s-river-mountains-loop-trail
Great story about the River Mountains Loop Tral in the Rails To Trails Newsletter. Enjoy and feel free to share....
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Nevada’s River Mountains Loop Trail | May 2023 Trail of the Month

www.railstotrails.org

A few miles into the 12-foot-wide trail, towering snowcapped Spring Mountains to the northwest dwarf the Vegas Strip’s cityscape. Since 2012, it’s...
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 22
  • Shares: 3
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

River Mountains Loop Trail
2 months ago
River Mountains Loop Trail
Work on the Boulder City railroad linear trail head. How exciting!!

Work on the Boulder City railroad linear trail head. How exciting!! ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 69
  • Shares: 3
  • Comments: 5

Comment on Facebook

Used to ride this all the time when I lived in Vegas🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️

We rode the trail Sunday, May 7,2023. The entire loop. All 34 miles, no closures, No detours. It was a beautiful day on the trail!😎🚲☀️ There were so many riders, mostly on the Henderson side.

What are they building?

Is the construction completed?

Is the trail open now???

View more comments

Load more

View Full-Sized

A Project of Get Outdoors Nevada.

Copyright © 2023 · River Mountains Loop Trail · All rights reserved.

Return to top of page