Lynx rufus, commonly known as the Bobcat, is native to North America. Its geographical distribution includes the United States, extending from southern Canada to central Mexico. The Bobcat is found throughout a significant portion of the continent, in 49 of the 50 US states (excluding Delaware), all provinces except for Prince Edward Island in Canada, and in the northern states of Mexico such as Sonora and Chihuahua.

The Bobcat inhabits a wide variety of environments, demonstrating its adaptability. These environments range from forests, semi-desert, and mountains to swamps, and suburban areas. The environmental conditions they thrive in generally include temperate to tropical climates with diverse vegetation types.

Lynx rufus is a versatile predator adapted to a range of ecological niches across its distribution. It predominantly preys on small mammals and birds but is also capable of hunting larger animals such as deer when available. Bobcats are solitary and territorial, maintaining a varied diet depending on regional prey availability, and utilizing rocky outcrops, dense brush, or hollow trees for dens and protection.