by Tom Haddad
(goldsboro, NC)
I saw a large strange cat in 1988 in port St.Lucie/Stuart fla. – My wife saw 2 of them. I have tried on many occasions to identify this cat
This was in my front yard, there was a new mall being built and a secluded area was being cleared for the mall.
Anyway, this cat was very big – the size of a mountain lion, but I have seen these and this wasn’t a mountain lion or cougar you’d see in Florida.
It was built like a cheetah – small head and ears, but very large jowels. The rear legs were larger than the front and it had a tail – but it appeared to have part of the tail missing.
It was a dark brownish/red color and when it turned in the sunlight – you could see dark brown brendel stripes clearly. This cat was bigger than my dog – a large full grown malamute/setter.
An old-timer told me that there used to be a Florida wildcat – supposedly extinct, and maybe that’s what I saw..
Any ideas what this was?
Tom
There are many comments on this page from people who believe that they have seen a Florida wildcat but are unsure of its species. Please read the comments for a lot more information.
Hi Tom… Could it be the almost famous Florida jaguarundi! I am writing some time after you made the post and it seems that there is now (at 2nd December 2011) a lot of talk about the Florida jaguarundi.
Of course, the jaguarundi is much smaller than a cheetah or mountain lion. So if it is the jaguarundi you may have made a mistake on the size.
Michael
I saw a black cat late last night that was bigger than a house cat, even bigger than a Mainecoon, but black-very shiny fur and a very long tail. Pointed ears and it’s head was elongated like a cat. I had been sleeping when my cat went crazy! She was spitting and howling-making gut noises like I had never heard from her before. So, I look out the window and there it was, looking right back at me! I banged on the window and yelled but it did not budge. So, got the flashlight and shone it on the cat. It stood there briefly, then walked off.
My cat has not been the same since. Won’t go out on the lanai alone at all today and I am very curious. Live in Spring Hill. Anyone else seen this thing?
The only possibility is the jaguarundi or another very large domestic cat. Click on the link to see one:
https://pictures-of-cats.org/jaguarundi-picture.html
Thanks for sharing Renee.
This Xmas in a location south of Riverside, Fl. I saw a family of jaguars merrily crossing the land the family just bought. They do it twice a day to get to a lake close by with 6 crocodile, so the neighbors say. We don’t know what species they are. Curled tail, brown with spots. size of a skinny, tall German shepard. Thank you for any information.
Thanks Monica for sharing this experience. The only wild cats officially in Florida are the puma and bobcat neither of which fits your description. The jaguar does not live in Florida or anywhere in the USA nowadays (except perhaps on the Mexico boarder). Thanks though.
We spotted what seemed at first to be a dog. But as I got a better look it was clearly a large cat. A breed that I had not seen before. It was tan in color. And by sight alone seemed to be at least 60 lbs. As we started out the back door to future inspect… This large cat was startled and leaped the fence. Clearing it with great esse. I wanted to know if anyone else has witness such a cat??
Hi Amanda. Thanks for sharing. It seems that you saw a young male puma or a female puma (Florida panther). They are great jumpers and tan in color.
the past week i saw a large cat lurking in my backyard , looking at photos posted online it looks like bobcat . since its breeding season i guess thats normal ? will it kill my regular housecats ? i was not that concerned as my nieghbor has chickens ? it comes around at nite . it doesnt seem be a danger to people . i am located in west st. aug. fl.
Hi Chuck. Thanks for commenting. And thanks for reporting a sighting of what is almost certainly a bobcat. Just be pleased that you probably saw a bobcat. You house cats are quite safe so don’t worry about that. Bobcats are not, as you say, a danger to people. It is quite the reverse. People are a danger to bobcats so just enjoy their company and I wish you well for the future and have a happy Christmas!
My husband and I were riding south on A1A on Orchid Island. We saw a large definitely feline shape run across the road about 1000 feet in front of us. Longer body than a bobcat, too short to be a panther. After reading the description of the typical jaguarundi, and the sighting reports, it seems our feral population of these cats are larger than those in S. America. Both the panther and the jaguarundi are the same genus. Could they be breeding hybrids?
Interesting sighting, Tracy. As far as I know there are no reports of any puma x jaguarundi hybrids. It could be almost anything. First you have to be sure that it is larger than a domestic cat because sizing cats at a distance is tricky. A lot of people mistake large domestic cats for young wild cats such as pumas. In Britain people have mistaken tabby domestic cats for lions! ; ) . Then there wild cat hybrids which people like to breed and they escape etc.. Quite a few of these sightings can be hybrids (domestic x wild).
There certainly appears to be jaguarundi in Florida! Although they are not meant to be there according to the ‘experts’.
Thanks for posting.
Saw a strange cat cross A1A yesterday somewhere between McClarty museum and Longpoint Cafe. Do not recall whether we were south or north of Sebastian Inlet bridge at the time of the sighting. Cat had head that resembled a cheetah, coat could best be described as mottled charcoal in color, size was that of a half-grown mountain lion. Had an unusual gait as it crossed the highway from west to east–almost like the hind legs were a bit longer than the forelegs. Sighting was about 3pm. Definitely was not a bobcat or mountain lion. Am very familiar with both of those animals. Any thoughts?
The only possibility if we are talking about a wild cat is the jaguarondi. This is a strange looking cat. Your description could fit it except for size as it is about twice the size of a domestic cat. There have been sightings of the jaguarondi in Florida before. Thanks for sharing your experience.