Bobcat Sightings Put Pflugerville, Round Rock Residents On Alert

PFLUGERVILLE, — Residents in Pflugerville and Round Rock are on high alert for wildlife after a reports of bobcats roaming wooded areas near homes.

The bobcat sighting has made the social media rounds, heightening concern among residents — particularly those with small children at home. Some residents living in the Round Rock Ranch area reported seeing the animal amid a wooded area behind homes. One resident on social media reported seeing a bobcat near her home at the Villages of Hidden Lake in Pflugerville.

According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, bobcats live in a variety of habitats, but they favor rocky canyons or outcrops when they are available. "Otherwise, they choose thickets for protection and den sites," officials wrote on the agency's website. "These cats are highly adaptable, and in most places have been able to thrive in spite of increasing habitat loss due to human settlement."

Wildlife officials at the agency note that bobcats' shy nature and nocturnal habitats keep most people from seeing them. Read more by clicking here.

Wildlife experts at the website Sciencing note that bobcats are found throughout the U.S. "They are often mistaken for other cats, such as mountain lions or house cats, but tend to be about twice as big as a domestic cat and smaller than a mountain lion," the website notes.

The sightings prompted Round Rock HOA officials to warn residents: "Please be careful, watch your kids and pets! Do not leave any garage doors or doors open to the house!" officials wrote.

So are they dangerous? "Left alone, they often pose no threat to humans, but in rare instances, bobcats can be dangerous," Sciencing says in seeming contradiction.

Here's more useful information from Sciencing related to bobcats:

Living Near Humans

"Despite their decreasing habitat, bobcat populations remain steady, in part because of their reclusive nature. They are common in mountainous suburban areas across the United States, and it is legal to hunt them in many states. Typically, they can live near human populations without incident."

Contact With People

"Bobcats tend to be shy and avoid people. Rarely, a bobcat can become aggressive, and bobcats with rabies can attack humans. Bobcats with rabies tend to have erratic behavior, be lethargic and foam at the mouth. Anyone who sees a bobcat behaving strangely should contact the local animal control department. Bobcats can also attack if threatened or if cubs are nearby. The animals are fast and have sharp claws."

Read more about bobcats at Sciencing by clicking here. A lengthy primer on bobcats can be accessed at the Texas Parks & Wildlife website by clicking here.