Bobcats in Hawaii: Where to look and what signs to watch for

1. Are there really bobcats in Hawaii?

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are not a natural part of Hawaii's ecosystem. Any bobcats on the islands are likely escaped or released pets. There have been a handful of confirmed sightings and roadkills over the years, mostly on the Big Island. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources tracks reports, but the population, if any, remains tiny and elusive.

In Hawaii, bobcats sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where the animal is most likely in the state. Use the state wildlife hub and the route guide to narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.

2. Where are bobcats most likely to be seen in Hawaii?

The vast majority of credible sightings occur on the Big Island, especially in the forested and ranch areas around the slopes of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Bobcats favor dense brush, lava rock crevices, and abandoned agricultural land. Remote parts of Kauai and Maui have occasional unconfirmed reports, but the Big Island offers the best odds. Start with dry forest edges and listen for rustling in the undergrowth.

3. When is the best time of day to look for bobcats?

Bobcats are most active around dawn and dusk (crepuscular). In Hawaii, they may also move during cooler parts of the day to avoid midday heat. Your best window is from 30 minutes before sunrise to 2 hours after, and again in the late afternoon until dark. Be patient and still; bobcats rely on camouflage and often freeze when they sense humans.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

4. How to identify bobcat tracks and sign

Bobcat tracks are about 2 inches long and wide, roundish, with four toes and no visible claw marks (claws are retracted). The main pad is larger than a domestic cat's and has two distinct lobes at the front and three at the back. Look for tracks on dusty trails, along fence lines, or near water sources. Scat is often segmented, about 3/4 inch in diameter, and may contain fur or bone fragments. Scratching posts on tree trunks at about waist height are another clue.

5. What else indicates bobcat activity?

Bobcats leave scrape marks on the ground covered with urine or droppings as territorial markers. They also create small day beds in thick brush or under rock ledges. Listen for their call: a loud, hoarse scream that sounds like a woman shrieking, especially during breeding season (winter). Unlike feral cats, bobcats have a short, "bobbed" tail (4–7 inches) with a black tip on top and white underneath.