The population of bobcats in New Hampshire has been growing steadily for the last few decades, leaving biologists scratching their heads over the large felines' unexpected comeback.

According to University of New Hampshire (UNH) researchers, the number of the large felines in the state has jumped to nearly 1,400, even as their traditional prey, such as rabbits, have declined drastically in the recent years.

Lead researcher Marian Litvaitis, a professor of natural resources and environment at UNH, concluded that the bobcat population rebounded as the felines adapted to a changing environment.

Speaking on the topic, Litvaitis said, "Recent population increases suggest that bobcats are adapting to a changing environment. Identifying the pathways of this success may provide insight into understanding how ecosystems can remain relatively intact as human populations continue to expand."

The bobcat population has made a dramatic return in the state since the felines nearly went extinct in the 1980s. In 1989, there were fewer than 150 bobcats in the state.

Some researchers believe that the bobcats' comeback is because these animals have adapted their diets to feed on different sorts of prey, such as squirrels or turkeys. Another theory attributes the large felines' comeback to the state's ban on bobcat hunting in 1989.