How Many Bobcats, Lynx, and Cougars Live in Minnesota?

Bobcats, Lynx, and Cougars have called Minnesota "home" for longer than human beings have lived on the state's soil. With that being said, all three of these feline predators were, at one point, threatened of nearly becoming extinct in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes in the twentieth century.

And while numbers (especially for bobcats) have rebounded somewhat in recent years, it has people wondering, just how many of these cats live in Minnesota in 2023?

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Bobcats

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, it is estimated that roughly 2,000 bobcats live in Minnesota, mainly in the northern part of the state. Although, few humans have ever seen one in the wild. And that's just the way bobcats would like it.

Canadian Lynx

The Canadian Lynx looks quite similar to the bobcat, except with longer ears, and more hair on its paws to protect from the snow.

It is estimated that around 50-200 Lynx live in northern Minnesota. Small numbers, but encouraging, since they were once thought to be all but vanished from the state.

Cougars (Mountain Lions)

Most experts agree that there are currently no breeding pairs of Cougars living in the state of Minnesota, but that doesn't mean they aren't passing through from time to time.

Cougars in Minnesota are considered transient; meaning that they frequently travel through the state, but it is believed that no Mountain Lions currently call the North Star State "home".

According to a recent article from the Star Tribune, there have been 59 Mountain Lion sightings in Minnesota since tracking of the animal began in 2004.

Story Source:  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Website, Minnesota Public Radio News