This morning a friend’s teenage daughter noticed the burro acting odd. She kept watching it, and finally noticed movement along the fence line. A bobcat was stalking that burro. I would think a burro would be over and above the capabilities of a 30# bobcat. This burro, Little Chubby, is far from scrawny. Since he was kidnapped by BLM and introduced to scheduled feedings he has tripled in size. He has to be 400#, perhaps more. Why would a bobcat undertake such a project?

What was the outcome. That cat knew better and might of seen something else. Are you sure it wasn't the other way around?

The Little Bobcat That Could: "I think I can, I think I can."

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My 10 lb cat has stalked 180 lb me. Cats are weird

Curious. We see them all the time ranching and coyote hunting. We don’t shoot them because they remind us so much of house cats. Get a mouse squeaker (we use to call varmints in close when shotgun hunting) and the bobcats will nearly come get in your lap!

Bobcat Called Up Within Feet - YouTube

PS. Mouse squeaker is fun to use to torment house cats, dogs, birds, etc. Almost anything will come to a mouse squeak. We were varmint hunting and a tree full of squirrels came and cussed us out (in squirrel, of course) when we were using the mouse squeaker a bunch.

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Possum—The other white meat!

The bobcat was stalking the burro just for kicks.

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What, me worry?

I would put my money on the burro. We have a donkey in the pasture to protect the cows, or really to protect the calves. She will stay with the young ones while they nap and their mothers graze away. I have watched her "point" on stray dogs or coyotes, and then watch her chase them away.

Dot was born on our farm six years ago, I feed her sweet feed everyday. I can't get anywhere near her without her turning her back end around. But thats fine, as long as she takes care of the babies, I don't need her to be a pet.

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Any cat that can do this is not going to be put off by a mere burro.

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Their main diet are rodents. I read an article recently that had to do with predator control on a property managed for Bobwhite. It actually had a negative impact because the rodent population exploded. They also found out that Bobcats rarely prey on Bobwhites or nest, not that they wont, but had more to do with both species habits.

The oldest daughter unleashed a .224 Valkyrie barrage on the bobcat. One graze, two hits. The bobcat followed the burro five to six lengths of fence after the girls noticed movement.

Little Chubby is also a fan of sweet feed. He is friendly and will follow the girls around like a dog. The other three burros act suspicious of humans but will come up for feed or to be hosed off on hot summer days.

I have never actually stalked a Burro.
But I have stalked a Burrito.
A number of times.
Must have been one hungry Bobcat!

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I agree with everything you say, except the sweet feed. Much better to feed her a cup of rolled oats. Donkeys and mules do not handle high sugar/protein well.
I know she likes and will eat the sweet feed like candy but in the
long run damage is done. They will get to fat and have kidney
problems. Read what Meredith Hodges has to say.

Is this your daughter's way of controlling "Handsy" boys dating her and her sisters? I don't think any southern jury would convict a proper young woman like your daughter!

Ivan

I highly doubt the bobcat would have made an attack on the burro - probably just doing a bit of playing/practicing/fantasizing. Cats will do that. Moot point now.

Somewhere I saw a article where a Donkey or Burro, actually killed a
mountain lion that attacked it.

That little Bobcat has some really BIG, you know what, to be thinking about
putting a hand on that bigger animal.

Donkeys can be down right mean, if you tick them off, enough.

"My, what BIG teeth you have.... " !!

Bob cat is probably using your burro as a hunting tool. Your burros feed attracts mice, your burro moving around spooks the mice and gives him a shot at them.

My one cat "Buddy" spends lots of time close to the deer in the yard all the time. I always worry one of them will kick him bad.

But then again the deer's feed attracts mice, the deer moving around spook the mice and the cats gets a shot at them. I have noticed all the cats hang out around where the deer hang out a lot and show up with quite a few mice.

A couple of coyotes I would worry about, but not a bobcat.

Mice, rabbits, a chicken yes a burro nope

There have been a number of sightings and pix just to the west of me and several a few miles to the north. The area west is a square mile of cemetery and open space. To the north is a stream that comes down from the mountains and heads east.. It sound like there are two different litters of bobcats,but I haven’t seen one of these suburban cats yet.

I have quite a few here. I get to see kittens every year. I have a deer feeder behind the house. I've have seen bobcats get squirrels, mice, rabbits, and a young one pounced on my sprinkler once.

around here you have to have a trappers permit to shot or trap a bobcat and only after Dec 1 until the quota is filled for that area. A nice cat can bring serious money. I buy a trapping permit every year in case one comes to a coyote call. Once you have one you have a day or 2 to take it to the fuzz and game dept give them the location taken mto get it tagged by a permanent tag. You can shoot every yote, fox, skunk etc anytime you want with no "paper work" what so ever.
Fur prices suck this year

Donkeys don't need anything but grass or hay. Mules can do well with just grass or hay unless you are working them.

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I am old,and my eyes arent what they used to be. I read the title as Bobcat stalking a burrito..

..
You are totally correct! I only give mine a cup of oats/day to keep them coming up out of the pasture and to handle, curry, kill horse flies etc. Also keep equine mineral salt out but find part of it is
consumed by deer. Mules being 1/2 donkey will also browse on
various leaves, weeds, herbs, small tree sprouts, and occasionally some tree bark from various species of trees. Of course donkeys evolved as browsers and will eat grass but don't have to.
My dad gave his mules and horses ground whole ear corn, shuck, cob and all. My mules get sweet corn shucks, and stalks
as a treat.

Pardon me Sir.
That’s an interesting Horse.
It’s a Mule!
I knew that!

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That's a purty mule.

For those who are not knowledgeable about equines and their tack (sadle and assorted leather), that mule is wearing a crupper, the strap that goes from the saddle to the base of the tail. Unlike horses, mules don't have high withers (the shoulder area in front of the saddle.) If a mule is going downhill, the crupper keeps the saddle from sliding forward.

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More proof for me that mules were not made to ride. Larry

Nothing will keep a cat from hunting, except serious illness or injury. Cats observe and stalk just about everything moving whether ultimately attacking or not. Purely instinctive behavior.

Here in southern Colorado a typical bobcat will weight about 30 lbs. and stand about 16 to 18" at the shoulder. I have seen a couple that I believe would have made 40 lbs., perhaps 20" at the shoulder. Bobcats are extremely elusive critters, very well adapted to their surroundings with effective camouflage, and seldom seen unless they move.

Although their usual prey is rodents, bobcats have been known to take deer (typically 120 lbs. or more), antelope (typically 80 lbs. or more), and other critters significantly larger and heavier than themselves. I have known ranchers, farmers, and wildlife officers who have described bobcat kills of domestic animals ranging from chickens to sheep and calves.

Cats are efficient stalkers and killers, but tend to be very focused while in the hunting mode. Unless alerted by noise or sudden movement a cat may be watched for extended periods while so engaged.

Beautiful critters, fascinating to watch, but in most encounters all we will see is a burst of movement toward the nearest cover. Having an opportunity to observe one without it being aware of your presence is a real thrill to be treasured.

My experience with mules is limited to a couple of hunting seasons with mules in elk camp. Fortunately there were people there with the necessary skills to handle their mules. I don't think any mule thinks it was intended to be ridden or put to work!

One old boy made a point of explaining that mules were quite intelligent and have good memories, but seem to always be waiting for an opportunity to show a human who was really in charge.

I make a point of staying clear of mules, and any horse I don't know pretty well.

Did you hear that bobcat say.....hold my beer and watch this....

Have seen a number of Bobcats.
Usually crossing or standing by the road.
They appeared to be in the 20 - 30 pound range.
Regret to report I never got a picture of one.

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It was hungry.

There are also some big goats on the farm; coyotes killed the Pygmy goats in April 2019. One of the goats has scratches on it’s neck and shoulder. It may have gotten jumped too.

Here's my mule, Betty Boop, Jake the donkey, and Sylvester the cat.

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My understanding is that well trained mules bring really good money and are in demand.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

My older brother and I attended an auction about 16 years ago
near Huntsville, Arkansas. Two Belgian mules were on the sale
bill which I was hoping to buy. A trained team being used to
skid logs out of the National forest. Beautiful animals, the
bidding started at $2,000 each, I never raised my hand.

Don’t recall hearing about Belgian Mules.
Was their Momma a Belgian Draft Horse?

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Even if I won the lottery I would never buy a horse. A string of mules so I could go into to way out back would be great.

Yes. My Betty is half Belgian draft horse.

If you cross a good mare and a good jack (male donkey), you usually get an excellent mule.

If you cross a jenny (female donkey) and a stallion (male horse), you will occasionally get a hinny. This cross only produces about 10-20% of the time.

For those who talk bad about mules, just remember. They use mules to go into the Grand Canyon, not horses. Mules are more surefooted.

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Speaking of Mule Riders-
Besides the Notable Mulers on the Forum,
They have been others.
Such as - Gen. Crook. He rode one while chasing Jerome.
Not that sure about his choice of headwear, but I approve of that Mule!

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That is correct, daddy was a mammoth jack.

OMG! My wife has called me a mammoth jack!
Full disclosure; it may not be the compliment I imagine it to be.

Maybe he needs glasses.

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213th FBINA

My considered opinion is that the bobcat had not been properly introduced to any donkeys or mules before! Had the cat gotten too close to the donkey, he likely would have been very rudely received. If the cat lived, it likely may have been crippled. It also likely would have learned to take a wide berth around donkeys in the future!

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So long ... Ken

I found several more pictures. Me, Betty Boop and a couple of the grandkids. Betty loves black licorice.

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I think the bobcat was just walking along the fence line using the higher vegetation for cover, and somebody who wanted to kill something - anything- decided it was "stalking" a donkey.

I was driving down a dirt road on a military base a while back going to a open air park to exercise..

Ahead on the left side in the brush a HUGE cat, stopped the truck and looked, I thought it was a Cougar at first, weird walking thing- back legs longer than front a Gonzilla of a Bobcat! It saw me stopped and walked backwards into the bushes.. at tai chi speed..

Very strange, maybe it was a 'were bobcat' a mutant or someting..?? lol

That particular park has a lot of deer young fawns and such coyotes travel in packs out there all the time.

Maybe the cat was watching to see what animals/birds the donkey would stir up? Using it as a driver

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“Look life in its iron face”

No. The pastures have no brush along the fence lines, a Winnebago can be driven around them. That burro and several goats were attacked by coyotes in March of 2019. The goats didn’t survive, the burro was bitten and received a huge gash down a rear leg. I never asked what a goat cost, but the burros were $25.00 each from the BLM. The vet bills were high.

Besides those animals, there are some extremely high dollar horses on the farm. These have to be protected, not to mention the people who ride and maintain these horses. One lady was chased by two pit bulls back in October while she was trail riding a newly acquired thoroughbred. Her skill kept her alive.

No one on that farm behaves as you suggested.

Coyotes have been appearing around here.
A local tree hugger posted on a neighborhood web site that “We should learn to co-exist with the coyotes.” SHEESH! I replied to her to tell the coyotes that when they are having Fluffy or Spot for dinner.

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Coyotes are skulking creatures, I had a cute 17 year old girl who worked with me young GI a great kid, she went out to the dumpster after dark one night and a couple of coyotes were in the dumpster encloser.
They just looked at her like they were hungry- scared her awful took her a week to get over it. Yep they catch a lot of pets that go astray..
Don't like yotes heard they make good hats..

For the same reasons our barn cats have been seen stalking the horses. Practice/fantasy (the lion/leopard stalks the zebra).