Extremely large strange looking cat

[Marion]

I heard crows going crazy in our back yard so looked out our lanai and there was a very large tawny coloured cat walking slowly across our patio. It was slender with hind quarters taller than front. It had a shortish tail curled up, long ears held straight up. It was a big as boxer dog. The crows were flying overhead making all kinds of racket. We live on the lake on Heathrow Avenue. I have searched the internet and the only cat I can find that looks like what I saw is a Caracal. Don't know how it could possibly be one. I need to warn our neighbour who may have small animals. I think I'll go and get a big glass of wine.

[Christine G]

Maine Coon cat?

[John_W]

Wikipedia indicates a Caracal, aka a Desert Lynx is found in Africa and Asia. Does it look like this photo below? If so, that's a Florida Panther. There's been at least two threads started this year about similar looking animals in TV.

http://blog.audubonguides.com/files/2012/02/FL-panther.jpg

[kittygilchrist]

Land Mammals - Bobcat (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/bobcat/)

That sounds like a bobcat. Call community watch. Also call the Florida wildlife commission.
Tell your neighbors with small pets, as you were planning to do, and have another glass of wine.

[Bonanza]

I don't know which I'd prefer . . . the wine or the cat.

Hmmmmm . . . I can have wine anytime. I'd rather have seen the cat!

It sounds like a puma (Florida Panther) to me. Wish I could have been at your house. Then I could have seen it while drinking a glass of wine!

[asianthree]

Too bad you didn't get a pic

[NoMoSno]

Short tail?
Bobcat.

Keep your house cats in.

[Hancle704]

Bobcats are seen more often around the Villages than Florida Panthers and since you described it having a short tail, you probably saw one.

[kittygilchrist]

PS.. Emma in my profile pic, is an adult boxer. Was the cat about that size?

[Marion]

PS.. Emma in my profile pic, is an adult boxer. Was the cat about that size?
Yes, it was about the size of your boxer.

It wasn't a panther or a cougar or a bobcat as I have seen many of them in the wilds of California. We camphosted in the Sinkyone Wilderness for 12 years. Panthers/cougars/mountain lions have very long tails. Also the hind quarters were noticeable taller than the front quarters (much like a Cheeta). All the bobcats I've seen are spotted, have longish thick coats with a "rough" at the neck. This one was tawny coloured and smooth coated.

Unfortunately he would wait for a picture. The crows were definitely warning of danger and followed the cat flying around and making a racket. By judging from where the crows flew, the cat must have gone between the houses, crossed the street and headed into OB golf course.

I guess this will just be one of those "mystery" animals unless he is seen again sometime by someone with a camera handy. Thanks for all your comments.

[kittygilchrist]

Identify a Bobcat - National Bobcat Rescue and Research Foundation (http://www.nbrr.org/identify)
Well you're not in California anymore.
I appreciate that you've been all over everywhere looking at wildlife, but doubtful that this is any mystery animal. We don't have that many Wildcats and you have eliminated the list relying on your experiences and views in other states.
You could take a look at this bobcat ID website and see if it helps any.

[NoMoSno]

Florida Lynx ?

https://www.google.com/search?q=florida+lynx&newwindow=1&client=firefox-a&hs=e9R&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&imgil=m3Wd3w-ZMPQ4xM%253A%253B90X5lpMfffLhPM%253Bhttps%25253A%2 5252F%25252Fwww.flickr.com%25252Fphotos%25252F3851 4062%252540N03%25252F5073268495%25252F&source=iu&usg=__HCKp0OtBSQNe9Wet3xxTqu8ZII4%3D&sa=X&ei=51jtU_HsBMeQyATc64DQBg&ved=0CEsQ9QEwBA&biw=1471&bih=772#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=m3Wd3w-ZMPQ4xM%253A%3B90X5lpMfffLhPM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%25 2Fc1.staticflickr.com%252F5%252F4104%252F507326849 5_e1bd590182_z.jpg%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.flick r.com%252Fphotos%252F38514062%2540N03%252F50732684 95%252F%3B640%3B513

[kittygilchrist]

Choices for this area for a wild cat that is large are that it is a bobcat, or it is a Panther that is so many miles north of its own habitat that it's Utterly astounding and well worth reporting to the fish and wildlife commission.
The photo previously posted was for something called in the photo a Florida lynx, a.k.a. bobcat.
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. I have been known to be.
However, I have seen bobcats in this area as have several other posters on talk of the villages. Keep in mind that this area has recently been taken over from wildlife. Not that we're not wild.

Editedto say last time i checked which was this year, there were less than 160 Panthers thought to be in Florida and all well south of here.

[NoMoSno]

Close, but a separate species.

HowStuffWorks "What's the difference between a bobcat and a lynx?" (http://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/bobcat-vs-lynx.htm)

[kittygilchrist]

Close, but a separate species.

HowStuffWorks "What's the difference between a bobcat and a lynx?" (http://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/bobcat-vs-lynx.htm)


There is no such thing as a Florida lynx, even though the photograph in Google images called it that.
This quote below is from the article you cited. Lynx do not live in Florida. But they are cute little kitties compared to bobcats.




The Lynx genus, with its four species, has the largest range out of all the cats. The Eurasian lynx (the most numerous and widespread of the four species) can be found throughout Western Europe and Northern Asia, while the Spanish lynx (the rarest of the four) is found only in Spain and Portugal. The Canadian lynx lives primarily in Canada and a handful of northern U.S. states including Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming and Washington.

[NoMoSno]

Yes, I appears the Lynx is a far northern kitty.

OP has seen California bobcats, which may look different than the Florida variety.

Up north midwest, they would look different, depending on the season.
Length of hair and color.

Finding tracks would be the best clue.

[kittygilchrist]

Yes, I appears the Lynx is a far northern kitty.

OP has seen California bobcats, which may look different than the Florida variety.

Up north midwest, they would look different, depending on the season.
Length of hair and color.

Finding tracks would be the best clue.

I will never forget seeing a lynx in Minnesota, at the Boundary, by the headlights of the car.
It was a magical moment. I think he was stalking a frog. Or at Least that's how I imagined it seeing him peer intently into a puddle and pouncing on something I couldn't see..

[kittygilchrist]

Unable to delete Duplicate post.

[buggyone]

With all the preserve areas in The Villages, it is no surprise to find coyotes, bobcats, foxes, or other predators which eat rats, rabbits, birds, or the occasional cat or dog.

Always a good idea to keep cats indoors and to be watchful when walking the dog after dark.

[Marion]

Identify a Bobcat - National Bobcat Rescue and Research Foundation (http://www.nbrr.org/identify)
Well you're not in California anymore.
I appreciate that you've been all over everywhere looking at wildlife, but doubtful that this is any mystery animal. We don't have that many Wildcats and you have eliminated the list relying on your experiences and views in other states.
You could take a look at this bobcat ID website and see if it helps any.

I looked at the website and you were right. This 3rd picture on the right side is what was on my patio. Thanks for the sight info.

[kittygilchrist]

You're welcome. I've been in Florida for a lifetime. If I went to one of the places you've been to, I would know so little Of what wildlife might be encountered there.
I'm happy you are with us in the villages and that you have wisely cautioned your neighbors to keep the small animals safe.

[DougB]

Florida Bigfoot?

[NoMoSno]

Florida Bigfoot?
Maybe?...

[mac]

Definitely a bobcat. There is a pair with babies at Amberwood and one has been several times at Lopez golf course. Since it was large, probably the male. I saw several walking between houses around Heron and Pelican last summer.

[Bonanza]

Florida Bigfoot?

What size shoe do you wear???

[Bobcuse]

Identify a Bobcat - National Bobcat Rescue and Research Foundation (http://www.nbrr.org/identify)
Well you're not in California anymore.
I appreciate that you've been all over everywhere looking at wildlife, but doubtful that this is any mystery animal. We don't have that many Wildcats and you have eliminated the list relying on your experiences and views in other states.
You could take a look at this bobcat ID website and see if it helps any.

Thanks for this website Kitty. It is the best I've seen for Bobcat info. We saw two bobcats (one adult and one cub) coming out of the brush off the west side of the Buena Vista roundabout near Stillwater Trail which were exactly like the 2nd picture on the left shown on your website.

[kittygilchrist]

I hope that anyone repeatedly sees big cats in their neighborhood will call Community watch and or the fish and wildlife commission to have these cats moved to a more natural habitat.
It sickens me to think of their struggle to survive between streets.

[nicoletta]

i have seen Bobcats three different times in this area..the first thing i thought was "thats a large cat".I have seen them in a parking lot at dawn in Lady Lake..and at dusk by a lake area also . They have very large whiskers at the face area .. short . tan and very perceptive to people being around..they know you are there watching every time !!!.the other animals (birds) were alarming of the presence most probably..it isnt a mystery animal ..they are here .. as we are in very close proximity to a very large forested area ..there are panthers here also as well as bears ..

[Indydealmaker]

Land Mammals - Bobcat (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/bobcat/)

That sounds like a bobcat. Call community watch. Also call the Florida wildlife commission.
Tell your neighbors with small pets, as you were planning to do, and have another glass of wine.

Sounds like the guy who lives behind me. He is usually out roaming when the moon is full.

[kittygilchrist]

i have seen Bobcats three different times in this area..the first thing i thought was "thats a large cat".I have seen them in a parking lot at dawn in Lady Lake..and at dusk by a lake area also . They have very large whiskers at the face area .. short . tan and very perceptive to people being around..they know you are there watching every time !!!.the other animals (birds) were alarming of the presence most probably..it isnt a mystery animal ..they are here .. as we are in very close proximity to a very large forested area ..there are panthers here also as well as bears ..

Florida Panther - National Wildlife Federation (http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Mammals/Florida-Panther.aspx)
There are about 100 Panthers left in Florida, and they live near the Everglades.

[Indydealmaker]

Florida Panther - National Wildlife Federation (http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Mammals/Florida-Panther.aspx)
There are about 100 Panthers left in Florida, and they live near the Everglades.

The one I saw near our condo in the Crystal River Preserve State Park must have been visiting from out of town.

[kittygilchrist]

The one I saw near our condo in the Crystal River Preserve State Park must have been visiting from out of town.

https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/panthersightings/getlatlong.aspx

This is the fish and wildlife commission website, which keeps records of panther sightings.

[Hankg42]

I'll be moving into a new home in the village of Charlotte after the first of the year. When touring the new sections, I was wondering what effect the new construction has on wildlife that inhabit the area. It must drive them to other areas, especially reserves that are maintained.

[Indydealmaker]

https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/panthersightings/getlatlong.aspx

This is the fish and wildlife commission website, which keeps records of panther sightings.

I am not going to help Big Brother keep track of those poor panthers' coming and goings. They have a right to privacy.

[Christine G]

Like that comment, all the animals were here in Florida before any one else I would say!

[kittygilchrist]

Hundreds of Panther Sightings Reported in Florida – News Watch (http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/08/15/hundreds-of-panther-sightings-reported-in-florida/)

[John_W]

Here's a Florida Panther taken with a motion-sensor camera about 25 miles east of Gainesville chasing a wild boar. A few months ago someone on Heron Executive said they had wild boars digging up their backyard and soon after that, sightings of panthers were reported around Cane Garden.

http://www.phossil.com/thom/Florida%20Panther.jpg

[bike42]

I'll be moving into a new home in the village of Charlotte after the first of the year. When touring the new sections, I was wondering what effect the new construction has on wildlife that inhabit the area. It must drive them to other areas, especially reserves that are maintained.

Cattle were kept in the fields from 466A down to 44 right up until construction started.

[kittygilchrist]

Florida panthers may move farther north in state | Gainesville.com (http://www.gainesville.com/article/20140330/ARTICLES/140339976?p=1&tc=pg)

Interesting discussion. Here is an article about the modest come back Florida Panthers have made from the brink of the extinction

[teachnmo]

I was taking my dog out to go potty at the beginning of the week. There was a thin coyote walking around the circle of our cul de sac. Luckily my dog determined not to confront the coyote and it ran between two houses.

[Chi-Town]

Here's an extremely strange looking cat.....
44361

[towgo]

you have a great attitude. thank you.

[nicoletta]

Florida Panther - National Wildlife Federation (http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Mammals/Florida-Panther.aspx)
There are about 100 Panthers left in Florida, and they live near the Everglades.

A subspecies of cougar, the Florida panther has been making a slow but steady comeback in their stronghold in Big Cypress and the Everglades, with sightings of individual cats reported by hikers throughout the state in places as disparate as the Cross Florida Greenway and Osceola National Forest.

While wildlife officers won’t confirm that panthers have moved across the bulk of the Florida peninsula, a panther was killed a few years ago crossing Interstate 4 between Orlando and Tampa. Requiring vast spaces to roam and hunt, it’s no wonder that the growing population is dispersing.

[kittygilchrist]

Thank you, Nicoletta, and that is a good reason to report any sightings. To get to large forest areas, they have to cross highways.