MAMMALS OF YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK 



95 



From Kodacbrome by Anderson 

 California wildcat kitten 



to 3 feet in total length, including the 

 very short tail which gives rise to an- 

 other name, "bobcat." In summer, the 

 general color is tannish brown, but in 

 winter it is much more grayish. 



They can easily climb trees, but rocky 

 situations seem to be preferred for dens. 

 However, wildcats have been seen in the 

 open meadows of Yosemite Valley hunt- 



From Kodacbrome b\ Anderson 

 California wildcat 



ing rodents. They often hunt in the day- 

 time, relatively unafraid of man. 



The chief food seems to be medium- 

 sized to small mammals and birds, but 

 they also have been known to attack 

 deer, especially when the snow is deep. 

 On at least one occasion, a deer put to 

 flight an attacking wildcat in Yosemite 

 Valley. Fawns are taken very readily, 

 when found. 



From casts by M. V. Hood 

 Tracks of California wildcat, left, and California mountain lion, right. Six-inch pencils. 



