Cameras capture bobcat hunting prey in backyard of Jacksonville home

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Bill and Kristi Hartley never anticipated their bird feeders in the backyard would draw a bobcat closer to their home.

“It was pretty, like, amazing,” said Kristi. “That he is so powerful and fast.”

TRENDING: 

The couple sent Action News Jax home surveillance video of the bobcat hunting a squirrel on and around their back deck.

They found some of the squirrel’s fur left behind on their back deck, prompting them to check their video system.

The video appears to show the animal lunging at the squirrel relentlessly, before eventually grabbing its prey, and trotting back into the woods nearby with the squirrel in its mouth.

“This cat jumps half way up the rail of that deck,” said Kristi.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

The FWC says bird feeders are common draws for bobcats searching for prey.Bobcats are common in

Florida and the FWC says it's not uncommon to see them during the day because they only sleep for two to three hours at a time.

FWC encourages residents not to feed the animals, but to instead try to scare it away using something like an airhorn.

Read more about living with bobcats here.

Bobcats are twice the size of domestic cats and generally hunt at night, according to FWC.

Cox Media Group