Bobcats Prowl Littleton Backyards In Security Videos [WATCH]

LITTLETON, CO – With lots of excitement about Colorado's now legendary mountain lion confrontation, where a trail runner killed a juvenile lion with his bare hands, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is bringing attention to other big cats in the area.

Several bobcats have been captured on home surveillance cameras in and around Littleton this week.

What's the difference? Well, bobcats are significantly smaller than mountain lions – they weigh about 30 lbs. maximum, as compared to 120 lbs. for a full-grown mountain lion (or cougar). You can recognize a bobcat by its tufty ears and stumpy tail. They often also have leopard-like spots on their fur. Bobcats do not eat family pets, but they do feast on rabbits and small birds, while mountain lions can take down a 500-lb. elk.

Related:Juvenile Mountain Lion Killed By Colorado Runner After Attack

Bobcats are often mistaken for another wild cat, the lynx, which is more common in northern climates such as Canada and Alaska. Lynxes are often larger than a bobcat, weighing up to 60 lbs.

The best way to tell a lynx from a bobcat is the very tip of the animal's shortened tail, which on the lynx is solid black and on a bobcat is white on the bottom–as if you're going to get that close to one of these fierce felines.

All big cats in Colorado are human shy and stay away from people, CPW said.

Watch the bobcats make their Littleton appearances here:

Image via Colorado Parks and Wildlife

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