Project Coyote recently shared footage from a North Texas resident showing a bobcat mother carefully carrying one of her kittens by the scruff of its neck before disappearing into a nearby storm drain, where the rest of her litter was hidden.
The moment may seem unusual, but wildlife experts say it highlights just how well bobcats have adapted to life alongside people.
“Bobcats can use storm drains throughout the year,” Karin Saucedo, Texas state coordinator for Project Coyote, told Chron. “They are highly adaptable and may use features like storm drains as temporary shelter and travel corridors, helping them move through developed areas while avoiding roads, people, and other dangers. Other wildlife, including raccoons, may use these spaces as well.”
The resident who recorded the video initially feared the kitten was dead because it hung completely limp as its mother carried it.
Project Coyote says that’s actually normal. Young bobcats—and coyotes—instinctively go limp when carried by a parent, allowing them to be relocated safely. What may look alarming is a natural behavior that helps mothers move their young between den sites.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, bobcats have become increasingly common in cities because neighborhoods often provide everything they need, including prey such as rats, rabbits and squirrels, while wooded areas, creeks and other patches of habitat offer places to hide during the day.
Despite living so close to people, the secretive cats are seldom seen because they do most of their moving at night and actively avoid humans.
“This video is a wonderful example of how wildlife navigates shared landscapes,” Saucedo said. “We hope it encourages people to give bobcats space, keep companion animals supervised, and appreciate the quiet ways they move through our communities.”