by Quentin
(Seven Springs, NC USA)
Our cat Lincoln
I think the myth about the Maine Coon being a mix between a domestic cat and a bobcat is highly possible. My ex-wife and I got a maine coon kitten from her brother who had domestic cats in an area of Virginia that is also known to have bobcats in the woods near his house.
One of his mother's cats came home one day from being out in the after several days. Several weeks later she gave birth to a litter of kittens which all turned out to be Maine Coon when her own bloodline had never had any Maine Coon kittens.
I had spent the night at my ex's brother's house on many occasions prior to mine and her divorce of course and have heard and seen the bobcats in the woods next to his house.
All of what I have just stated gives me reason to believe the myth of the Maine Coon being a cross between a domestic cat and a bobcat may very well be more than just a myth. Of course I can not say positively that this is the case because I did not actually see what his momma kitty mated with, but still I believE it still makes a good case for the mix.
Quentin
Sarah, you are one the world’s experts on rare cats and hybrid cats so thank you for your comment.
There are no authenticated bobcat/domestic hybrids, only anecdotal ones. Even breeders who have witnessed mating between the 2 species have not achieved any offspring. The only way to know for sure is to get a DNA test on the cat. Bobcats are variable in appearance and to add to the confusion there are authenticated ocelot/bobcat hybrids in existence that look like tabby bobcats (these were originally bred as pets).
A few years back, me and my Wife was with in about 15 yards of the biggest Brown Bear, that I have ever seen in my entire (43) years of life. All it was doing was feeding it’s self by raiding the really big garbage cans, in our neighborhood. You may not believe me but, it was probably 7′, 1″, and enormous. Anyway, as we watched it, , it slowly stopped eating and began to walk away. Now here’s the part that (no one) will believe, the neighbors young cat arched it’s back and, hissed at it, causing the Bear to make a scared sound and all that you could hear were heavy claw trotting marks across the pavement and down the road, lol, lol!!!! I swear on the Bible, lol! Let that be a “true” lesson, no healthy animal wil ever attack unless it’s cornered and that’s a fact! 🙂
Welllllllll, I’ve found a ((SECOND)) Hybrid. It was Max, mixed with Bobcat, unfortunately, it was on the Reservation and had it’s face hit by a truck bumper. It had a muscular, short striped tail, thick , muscular body, high ears big head, thick, long high ears, with tufts. It had stripes, with a limited # of black dots, covered by a lighter Grey over coat. Once again, the only difference, was that the paws were smaller that a regular Bobcat but, that’s it, it looked (exactly)like a large toothed Bobcat/ Domesticated Manx mix.
That is a sentiment that I completely agree with and I am pleased that you dislike sport hunting as much as I do. Also there are a lot of people as you say who fear certain animals including cats because they don’t understand and don’t respect and love them as, for example, you do. Thanks for the comment.
I hope that you received all of them, I sent about (8) or so, including the Bobcat/Lynx.