Unknown Florida Wildcat

Ok so the other night 1230am iam in bed. my pup started acting weird so i went put in out go bathroom got him on his leash. and he starts barking at something in the dark. Iam like ok come got the leash and i heard these steps coming at me in the grass. p.s. you better move fast and i did. got into the patio and went put my light on and flash it out the window. hello this cat was huge (zoo huge ok) I saw cat run and my neighbors out door lights spot lights came on he stop and look back at me.. ok this cat was not a flpanther.. it was alot bigger almost like a male lion with big gut and brown / tan coat. and long tail. this cat was for sure over 200pbs. So yes i did call on it and they said was a flpanther but i dont think so. I had a flpanther walk up my driveway/rvstorage area last year this isnt the same animal. .. He must still be around because pup pup is acting weird at night. this happened in yalaha florida near leesburg . Yep iam afraid go outside.. if your thinking..iam not even a meal for him..that animal needs a cow..ok

I saw what looked to be a florida panther running across an open field off RT 470 about 20 miles from Leesburg. It was about 6:30 – 7:00am. on May 7, It was a dark tawny color, with up right ears, but not pointed. It had a long tail and was about 4 ft long and about 30 inches in height.

I think your explanation fits it… It was for sure puma sized… 4 feet long – and thigh high.
Maybe the thing that threw me was the Brindle stripes and the dark reddish brown color.. I always thought panthers etc,, were a brown/blonde color… I’ve seen a couple in the wild, but never had the opportunity to see this much detail..

The cat I saw was definately not a Jaguarundi.. Check spelling – It was way too big – it was taller and longer than a 120lb. malamute. If I guessed at the weight – it would be 100 lbs..
The one I saw was a hair smaller than a mountain lion.. my wife saw 2 and said they were both that size.
It was a dark reddish brown color,very Muscular – taught and thick bodied – but lean – I could see the muscles working… no fat… very short hair – longer back legs – Dark Brindle vertical stripes that were only seen when it turned into the sun..big round jowls and small rounded “fuzzy” ears.. It looked like a beefed up cheetah.. it was probably some kind of panther because that’s how big it was.. maybe some of them have brindle stripes???

sorry meant to say that the back legs were shorter than the front legs. The cat was much bigger than my 24 lb mini schnauzer and very different in build than any domestic cat. It was low to the ground but much bigger boned and much longer than a large house cat. Had dark brown and red brindle colored short hair. I was very excited to see such a unique creature, I got about 15 feet away before it slinked away into the woods. This was in Estero in Lee County FL.

I just saw the cat you are describing. Very muscular big cat with big thick bones, with red brown brindle and longer back legs. Weird short wide ears, not pointy. Tail looks like a cat tail cut off, about 10 inches long and not bushy. Walked low to the ground. In my backyard in Estero FL. There is a lady in a nearby apt complex that lets out her little Yorkie terrier every day and the things roams around behind the apartments. When I saw the cat posted up on the lawn I thought he’s watching for the Yorkie! THe cat just stared at my dog for awhile too so I’ll keep watching out for the thing. The closest pic I can find on the internet is a a jaquarundi!

I live in The Meadows in Sarasota, FL. This evening we saw a small wild cat in our backyard. It had short dark gray/dark brown hair. I couldn’t see any stripes or spots but didn’t get a close up. It had a short bobbed tail-about 6″ long-and was the size of large housecat but lean. It’s most identifying feature was it’s ears. I saw the back of it’s head and the ears were pointed and yellow on the back. Anyone know what kind of cat this was?

Thanks for you comments,Michael. You confirmed my educated guess. when I mentioned my sighting to an employee of the Environmental Learning Center I was told I was mistaken…..that pumas/Florida panthers require more land area in which to feed and roam. But , I know the animal I observed was as you described….definitely 4 feet long with longer hind legs….second sighting for me. about 5 years ago A panther ran across A1A at dusk going towards the ocean!

The jaguarundi is quite a small cat at about 2 feet in length combining head and body and excluding the tail. It is similar in size to the domestic cat although looks very different. In fact the jaguarundi looks different to all the other wildcats, being a bit otter-like.

The panther in this case is a puma. They are about 1,200 mm in length in Florida (head and body). That is about 4 feet in length.

The puma’s color varies from “grizzled gray to dark brown…with intermittent shades of buff, tawny and cinnamon red”. Taupe gray looks like a mid-gray to me.

Both cats have long hind legs relative to forelimbs. The puma’s long hind legs are designed for jumping. It is perhaps the world’s best feline jumper.

On this test you have seen a Florida panther (puma, cougar).

I saw a large taupe gray cat crossing the road in a residential neighborhood….he was going from mangrove to mangrove area. Smallish head,long tail…not short and I would say approximately4 to 5 feet long. This was at about 7:30 in the morning so it was not very bright,yet. This was in Indian River Shores in Indian River County, Fl. I was told it could not possibly be a panther…more than likely a jaguarundi. any ideas???

Thanks for your comments and thoughts!

Just for comparison, my Maine Coon mix is almost 12″ at the shoulder, 30″ from nose to tail, and weighs in at over 19 pounds — he is huge! So I don’t think I would have taken much notice at a similar sized cat. Even though she looks small in the bottom photo, my guess is that it was at least 30 pounds — probably closer to 40. The bulk on this cat was striking compared to a domestic cat, so your suggestions of deliberate hybridization and released, sounds plausible and could be the case for this cat. But, again, she really was a beautiful animal! Thanks again for your comments and thoughts!

I think c.tyler is right. I am sure there are some weird hybridizations going on in Florida maybe deliberate. There are no known bobcat to domestic cat hybrids that I know of but some wild cats can and do mate with domestic cats and wild cat to wild cat matings take place too (lion x tiger for example).

The domestic cat (Abyssinian) X Caracal (C. caracall) is called a “caracat”. This would produce a cat of the size and appearance in Diane’s pictures it seems. Not sure though.

Wild cat hybrids

I am new to the Saint Augustine area, so when I saw what I saw tonight, I google searched “large wild black cat in St. Augustine” and found this site. I live in the World Golf Village just off of I95. While taking my kids for a golf cart ride tonight around 5:30pm (sun down but before dark) about 40 yards ahead of us I saw a large dark or black animal that appeared to be a cat jump across the path. I would say it was about the size of my 60 lbs lab but of course with the longer hair it was hard to get a good look. The way it jumped, I know it was from the cat family.

Wished I had a pic, maybe next time.

Good job on photos Dianne ! This cat looks like a hybrid cross. With so many exotic cats from S.America being released into the Fl. wild by owners who no longer can handle or care for them. I think what we are all seeing is different out-cross of various cats,exotic/domestic, exotic/bobcat,hybrid/hybrid etc. This is why we are all seeing different variations of length, height, color, tail length,ears, leg length. This is Florida and there is alot of different stuff out there in the gene pool. Not to mention the fact that there is habitat to support a critter that has plenty to eat and ample “bush cover” to hide and breed in. I live next to the Adams Ranch in Ft. Pierce,its 20,000 acres of back country. This is just my observed opinion as an outdoorsman,
for over 50 years. c. tyler

Hi Diana:
By far I am not an expert on cats, but by analyzing and comparing picture details I feel that your cat is a large bobcat, but is just my opinion

Response to last comment. Thanks Diane. I think this cat is more likely to be a very large domestic cat rather than a small wildcat. But the coat does have a wildcat look. One other possibility is a wildcat hybrid. Maybe someone is breeding them nearby! LOL. In the bottom picture she looks smaller.

Above are 3 images of the wild (?) cat that I saw in Florida on January 13th (2012) near the NASA Space Center.

The top (A) is a shot to give perspective of size (mature palm trees, etc) and the middle (B) is the same image, zoomed in for closer detail. The bottom (C) is her parting shot (isn’t she/he just so cute!) as it scooted away.

Based on other images I have seen of bobcats, her tail appears quite long for a bobcat. Also, she appears to be smaller, or at least shorter, than a bobcat — although she was crouching to keep a low profile so I wouldn’t see her. 🙂

So what do you all think it is? What ever it is, I think she is so beautiful and I hope she lives many years in freedom and she produces many others just like her! 🙂 We don’t have cats like these in the northeast, so I was so excited to see such a beautiful animal.

Looked like the Chinese Mountain Cat, only somewhat larger than what is in the description. Anyone heard that these are now abiding in Florida??? Color, tail stripes, just the spitting image of what I saw.

Hi Tom
The description of your cat is the most closest one to match mine, I saw this wild cat in Venice Island Florida, it went pass me to about 4 feet, and the description I have is about the size of a cheetah, with spots more like a leopard, general color light reddish brown, not a heavy cat maybe around 25 to 30 pounds, I spoke to some one after my experience and I have the understanding they were some very common cats from FL but now a few years later I learn that is not the case, I wish I had a picture

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Hi,

I just came back from a Florida vacation and saw what appeared to be a wildcat. It appeared to be a short-bobcat size, but with a mid length tail (not as long as a typical house cat, relative to its body, but longer than a bobcat’s). It had very thick fur — full face (and rather cute)- tawny/tabby in color. I was able to get a couple of clear “shots” of it before it ran off — and would like to share them with your forum readers for their take on what they think it might have been. Please advise how I can post a few images in this forum. thanks!

I was resting in a park at Venice Island Florida, when I saw this wild cat walking towards my self, he came to about 4 feet of me and kept walking, he was the size of a Cheetah, but the spots looked more of a leopard, did not show any aggressiveness, if I recall correctly his general coloration was in the light brown,

We live on US17/92 between Lake Alfred and Haines City and this afternoon around 4pm we looked off our screened room across our small pond and there appeared a cat identical to the one Tyler described. We have seen a lot of wildlife from time to time in and around this pond but this is a biggie as the biggest thing prior to this sighting was about 8 black wild hogs. The cat stood motionless for about 4 minutes as if searching for something either in or around the waters edge. We tried to stay absolutely still the whole time but it never fully came out of the underbrush. Then, he leisurely turned and went back into the underbrush. But it was quite exciting to see something new which we had no idea was even around these parts!

I saw a cat approx.3 ft. long 2 1/2 ft. tall at top of shoulder,40 lbs ,slender ,tail about 1 ft. black rings,body was a dark gray with 2 in.black”donut” spots.straight up ears,no tuffs to face. Observed at 10 ft,from my back porch,1:00pm on the sidewalk taking a nap. I thought it was one of my house cats until I called it and it stood up,and I kept thinking ,my cat is not that tall as it kept getting larger and larger.After a slight stretch he turned and briskly walked away. This is Ft. Pierce,west of I 95 Jan.5 2012, I ve seen plenty of Bobcats,and 4 wild Fl.Panthers, This ain t one of them!

I saw a large wild cat while I was walking today near Laurel Road in Nokomis. It was marked like a tiger cat, grey & black with a long tail. The body was approximately 3 feet long, the top of the back was about 2 and a half feet from the ground, it was well proportioned, a very sleek looking animal. It was about 20 feet from me, and it did not appear to be afraid of me. It looked at me and then went into the woods.

Yesterday I was turning onto SR-80 from Joel BLVD (near Alva) and saw a charcoal grey wild feline of some sort.It was running across 80 towards Lehigh.This was Sat 12-11 at approx 8:15 am.

I did not notice the tail length but would estimate it at 30-45 pounds.I’d estimate the body length at approx2.75 to 3 ft.

Hi, I’m living next to a conservation-area in Pasco county, FL. Here’s what I spotted first in March 2008 and a couple of days ago:

I know, image-quality sucks (I really need a high-zoom camera) but maybe somebody has a suggestion.

Note from Michael(Admin). I added one of your photos.

Bobcat probably

Jaguarundi are native to South America but a number were introduced into Florida back in the 40’s and there is still a small population scattered around the state. This could be what you are seeing. Google jaguarundi and see if this looks like it. Or go here on this site.

In Vero Beach Fl on Indian River Blvd by Grand Harbor. I just saw 2 large cats, very dark w/full tails cross the boulevard towards a wooded area. Both moved quickly so no photo time (I was driving). They were the size of a greyhound dog.I’ve seen Bobcats and Fl Panthers here and this was Panther-like but very dark, almost a grey/black color. VERY exciting! Wish I knew what exactly they were.

I also saw this cat in Estero fl!!! I have a Bengal cat which was on the lanai with me when a cat that looked identical to my cat but… About 3ft long walked by!!! It also had a long tail and it’s markings like I said looked like my Bengal !!! My cats eyes were like saucers!!! Wow!!! Cool… real cool!!!

Saw the same cat in my back yard while cutting the grass. Looked just like a domestic cat in shape but at least 24 incheas tall and over 3 feet long very lean. Only 50 feet away from me, unafraid. We both stopped and looked at each other for nearly a minute, before it started moving to other side of house where my grand daughter was playing. I ran around the front to other side and scarred the cat back then into wooded lot next door. Half hour later came from lot to cross street and into the woods. Beautiful animal but not matching name of any known Florida cat. Perfect shaped head and features with normal lenght tail. Bobcat sighting very frequent at our house, this was not one.

Just now saw a large cat cross in front of our house (approx. 500 ft. away). I’ve never seen anything like it. It was larger than a bobcat (we have those here, also) and slightly smaller (or maybe just shorter) than a FL.panther (I have a video of a FL.panther crossing out back of the barn)…We only saw it for about thirty seconds…in clear view, mid-day. It appeared to be dark redish -brown with an unusually, very fluffy, white (underneath), short, half -tail. I don’t know if the ears were rounded, but seemed similar to a bobcat’s (this was deffinitely NOT a bobcat). It had long legs. Strangest thing I’ve ever seen! We live on a 120 acres so we’re surrounded by forrest. An oscelot came to mind, but wrong color, and I think, it was larger. It was awesome!

Just now saw a large cat cross in front of our house (approx. 500 ft. away). I’ve never seen anything like it. It was larger than a bobcat (we have those here, also) and slightly smaller (or maybe just shorter) than a FL.panther (I have a video of a FL.panther crossing out back of the barn)…We only saw it for about thirty seconds…in clear view, mid-day. It appeared to be dark redish -brown with an unusually, very fluffy, white (underneath), short, half -tail. I don’t know if the ears were rounded, but seemed similar to a bobcat’s (this was deffinitely NOT a bobcat). It had long legs. Strangest thing I’ve ever seen! We live on a 120 acres so we’re surrounded by forrest. An oscelot came to mind, but wrong color, and I think, it was larger. It was awesome!

That sounds exactly like it… except, the ones we saw were reddish brown. You could try a camera set up…some kinda bait?? A picture would be something else…
Hope you see it again,,

June 1, 2011 – Spotting

Our backyard adjoins a US Army Corps of Engineers preserve. At around 3am awoke by loud cat squeals, scratching and heavy walking on our home’s roof. Auto flood lights came on as I looked out the rear window just as the cat leaped onto our patio and walked slowly to the woods…saw what most everyone describes as an unknown Florida Wildcat. It looks like the California Wildcat photo I found on the internet. that was taken in Yosemite National Park.

Approximatly: 3ft tail, greyish light brown striped fur, very small head with small ears in proportion to 3ft long body, humped back 21/2 to 3ft tall, long rear legs.

June 1, 2011 – Spotting

Our backyard adjoins a US Army Corps of Engineers preserve. At around 3am awoke by loud cat squeals, scratching and heavy walking on our home’s roof. Auto flood lights came on as I looked out the rear window just as the cat leaped onto our patio and walked slowly to the woods…saw what most everyone describes as an unknown Florida Wildcat. It looks like the California Wildcat photo I found on the internet. that was taken in Yosemite National Park.

Approximatly: 3ft tail, greyish light brown striped fur, very small head with small ears in proportion to 3ft long body, humped back 21/2 to 3ft tall, long rear legs.

I was driving back from the Eustis Gun Club, and was on Duda Road coming into Zellwood, I was approximately 1/2 mile west of shelly’s septic tank service when this dark brown cat with about an 8″ tail crossed the road in front of me. The cat was long bodied, and looked to be about 15″ tall at the shoulder. I have hunted in Florida for over 50 years, and seen many bobcts, and one Florida panther in those years, but I have never seen a cat that looked like the one i saw today. The color was similar to a chocolate Lab.

Finally got it identified. On 1-7-11 I saw a ring tailed cat with black ears and soft gray foot pads. As posted on 1-7-11 I checked my computer immediately and could not make an identity. To bad I did not stay around to see the parent cat.
Now solved with Michaels assistance. It is a Florida Panther Kitten. See the attached sight. It is 100% confirmed.
Doc

On 1-7-11 I posted a sighting of an unidentified cat. Well, thanks to you all I have now 100% identified my sighting. It was a Florida panther “kitten” . Exactly as noted: black behind ears, large gray foot pads and fuzzy stripped tail. I did not see its body though. When its head turned to me ,It was a cats face.

Yep! It was a Florida Panther Kitten. To bad I didn’t stay around and watch for an adult.Instead I went to the computer and googled the sighting and found you folks.

See this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffg85Jnc-CY

On 1-7-11 I posted a sighting of an unidentified cat. Well, thanks to you all I have now 100% identified my sighting. It was a Florida panther “kitten” . Exactly as noted: black behind ears, large gray foot pads and fuzzy stripped tail. I did not see its body though. When its head turned to me ,It was a cats face.

Yep! It was a Florida Panther Kitten. To bad I didn’t stay around and watch for an adult.Instead I went to the computer and googled the sighting and found you folks.

See this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffg85Jnc-CY

On 1-7-11 I posted a sighting of an unidentified cat. Well, thanks to you all I have now 100% identified my sighting. It was a Florida panther “kitten” . Exactly as noted: black behind ears, large gray foot pads and fuzzy stripped tail. I did not see its body though. When its head turned to me ,It was a cats face.

Yep! It was a Florida Panther Kitten. To bad I didn’t stay around and watch for an adult.Instead I went to the computer and googled the sighting and found you folks.

See this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffg85Jnc-CY

2/22/2011 Aprox. 9:00am large cat sighted by my wife, Kerry and myself at Moses Creek Conservation Area Sr 206 St. augustine @ junction of white and yellow trail. The animal was a large light brown/tan color with brownish spots, possibly weighing 45- 50 lbs with long 2 1/2 3 ft tail

2/10/11 – appx 9:30pm – Flagler Beach, Florida

large cat – about the size of a coyote, about 1 – 1 1/2 ‘ tall, body length appx 2 1/2’
light in color w/a very long, very fluffy, ringed tail appx 2’long
light eyes
small ears
smallish head for size of body; perhaps tufts on cheeks
Fast – really fast; stretched out long-strided run

Looked like a catomistle (sp??), but at least 3 times as large.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

2/10/11 – appx 9:30pm – Flagler Beach, Florida

large cat – about the size of a coyote, about 1 – 1 1/2 ‘ tall, body length appx 2 1/2’
light in color w/a very long, very fluffy, ringed tail appx 2’long
light eyes
small ears
smallish head for size of body; perhaps tufts on cheeks
Fast – really fast; stretched out long-strided run

Looked like a catomistle (sp??), but at least 3 times as large.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

Hi Joey, To post a message and upload a photo, just go to the left margin of your page and click on whatever link is the most appropriate to your story – example: under the heading of More Cats & Facts, perhaps the link: Cat Facts/Opinions may be appropriate or maybe some other link. Just pick one. When that page opens, scroll down the page until you see the area where you can create your own story and there is a spot for you to upload your photo(s).

The method is self-explanatory and if it is not the correct category, the webmaster (Michael) will put your post in the most appropriate place for maximum exposure.

Looking forward to your story with accompanying photos.

My dogs damn their hides, caught this cat this morning, I have never seen anything like it. I is exactly as described by the others, same but its size. It it bigger then a house cat, or any feral cat I have ever seen, it is near 30 inches long

I have pictures but don’t know where to post them so you can tell me what this is. I know what it is not! it is not a common Feral cat, it is not a bob cat, it is not a jaguarundi.

If someone can send me a website or other URL to send the pictures.

My hose is surrounded by hundreds of acres of park land, and on the Alafia river. I regularly have red and gray foxes, Deer, coyotes, and other wild creature in my yard. I have never seen a cat this size or markings before.

1-7-11 Homosassa, Florida

Today at 11:30AM our small parrot in his cage by the glass sliders really screeched at something he saw thru the glass and screened in lanai. He fancy’s himself as our watch/alarm bird. I quickly went to the door and saw the rear end and 18″black and white ringed tail disappear into the saw palmetto. Went outside quietly to follow it and saw its backside and back of the head and feet as it disappeared into the palmetto in a slow cat-like hunting walk. Ears were tall and sharp edged with black edging. The back of its paws were gray. It was larger than a raccoon, and too big for a house cat. I’d say about 25-30 lbs.

Looked all over the internet for pics and the only animal that comes up close is the Florida Panther Kitten. But we live in a large wooded housing area Not the correct habitat for the Panther.What say you?

1-7-11 Homosassa, Florida

Today at 11:30AM our small parrot in his cage by the glass sliders really screeched at something he saw thru the glass and screened in lanai. He fancy’s himself as our watch/alarm bird. I quickly went to the door and saw the rear end and 18″black and white ringed tail disappear into the saw palmetto. Went outside quietly to follow it and saw its backside and back of the head and feet as it disappeared into the palmetto in a slow cat-like hunting walk. Ears were tall and sharp edged with black edging. The back of its paws were gray. It was larger than a raccoon, and too big for a house cat. I’d say about 25-30 lbs.

Looked all over the internet for pics and the only animal that comes up close is the Florida Panther Kitten. But we live in a large wooded housing area Not the correct habitat for the Panther.What say you?

I was driving down a dead-end street near Manasota Beach in Englewood, Florida early this morning and saw a large, black cat-like animal at the end of the road..It wasn’t a dog and was very frightened when it spotted my car. Tho I slowed down to almost a stop, it ran from side to side in the road, unsure of where to go and then ran off into the dense forest at the end of the street. It’s head looked a little like a mountain lion but I noticed the body more; it’s legs were tall. I’ve seen a lot of bob cats in Connecticut- they’re way too small for this to be one. I saw a mountain lion once in Connecticut and that’s the closest thing I can use to describe this animal. Wish I had a camera with me, we could have exchanged notes to see if this may be the same thing.

I live in North Naples, Florida. It was much larger than a house cat–long, thin body, larger head than you’d expect with the size of the body and with what looked like jowls or tufts on it’s face. Tail was very long and thin and it’s color was a darkish brown. What is distinctive were the black tiger-like stripes on it’s body.

Does anyone know what this creature is? It is not a Jaguarundi, Bobcat or Panther.

We live in Aberdeen off of Jog in West Boynton.
On several occasions around dusk, we have observed a fairly large cat, brownish-gray colored with black striped tail walking the grounds as if he owned the place.
The cat was definitely larger with a more muscular physique than our domestic cat who weighs in @14 lbs.
Extensive perusal of internet has yielded the similarity of this cat to the African/South African Wildcat, forefather of the domestic cat courtesy of the Ancient Egyptians & their grainaries. This cat would have no problem finding ample food sources nor would it have any apparent threat-other than human-to its nightly forays.

I work out at a 24 hr fitness club in Boynton Beach. I was leaving the gym at about 12:30 AM. I saw at first what I thought to be a domestic house cat. I stated calling to him at a distance of about 12 feet. I then noticed that he had a smaller head and extremely large ears.His tail was about 24 inches long. His coloring was greyish. His tail was a solid back with more fur on the end.(The cat went under a SUV parked next to me so this is what I got the best look at).Does anyone have any ideas. I have been researching this for hours with no relief in sight? My email is MichaelWeiner2003@yahoo.com Thanks

I work out at a 24 hr fitness club in Boynton Beach. I was leaving the gym at about 12:30 AM. I saw at first what I thought to be a domestic house cat. I stated calling to him at a distance of about 12 feet. I then noticed that he had a smaller head and extremely large ears.His tail was about 24 inches long. His coloring was greyish. His tail was a solid back with more fur on the end.(The cat went under a SUV parked next to me so this is what I got the best look at).Does anyone have any ideas. I have been researching this for hours with no relief in sight? My email is MichaelWeiner2003@yahoo.com Thanks

That’s really cool…. any chance you can get a picture or get a camera ready???

I just saw this same type of cat in my backyard in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

It really would.. It’s something you need to see.

I was hoping whatever they were – they were a breeding pair. you never know…

Tom, Perhaps in yours or your wife’s travels, if you’ve got a decent digital camera, you might get a shot of the cat(s). That way, it could be posted for Michael and the rest of the forum to see. Maybe we can figure it out. That would be a trip.

Thanks Michael,

The thing that sticks in my head the most, is the size and the stripes – which you couldn’t see at first, until it turned in the light…and it looked quite menacing. The other thing is that my wife saw two of them together –
My thoughts are that this is some variation of a florida panther. Maybe some of them have brendel markings. I’ve seen florida panthers on a couple occaisions in the wild, and looked at alot of pictures,, mtn. lions, etc.. One thing that I’d say is different is that even if they are a bit skinny, they look smooth and graceful.. this one looked tight as a drum..and jacked up, like it was built for speed like a cheetah, but powerful like a fighter.. Thanks again..!

Tom, I think you agree that this cat does not fit any of the known wildcats.

People, though, do cross breed wild cats. There are lots of variations, ligers etc.

This might be a wild cat hybrid deliberately bred and released.

This page hybrid cats mentions both domestic and some wild cats.

People in the US like to play around with genetics and produce something interesting. It might be a cross between a cheetah and cougar if that is possible or any other combination.

Just a thought.

Just a quick addition – – ears – very small and rounded. Jowels – very pronounced and round.
very short hair…no fluffy parts..
shoulder blades pronounced and rose above the body as it walked.
dark reddish brown, brendel striped when broadside to the sun…
and – taller and longer than a full grown, setter/malamute. I’d guess tyhe cat weighed close to 100 lbs…80 – 120lbs..??

Hi All,
Thanks for your responses. I looked at the Jagarundi and the American Bobcat, but these aren’t it at all. I’d say the jagarundi was close in color, but nowhere near the size or general appearance. This cat was very tall – I would say surely thigh high, and very long bodied ( twice as long? ) the hair was very short and dark reddish brown. The most noticeable features were the very large jowels and extreme muscular look to the body and haunches. Big shoulder blades, and just a taught strong looking big cat. My best description would be an extremely muscular/heavy cheetah, with brown/red fur and brendel stripes. I’d say his head was bigger than a cheetah, but the same shape..small for the body, small fuzzy ears – no lynx type hair..

Tom, Look into Michael’s suggestion of a jaguarundi and look at the picture. It may very well be that breed. As for size, who knows? In this crazy world, maybe you found a mutant jaguarundi…hey, anything’s possible. Good luck. Let us know what you find.

Pull up some pictures of American Bobcats. I live in upstate SC and we have them here. I don’t know if they’re native to the area or not. We also have bears every now and then. With construction continuously destroying the forests, etc., many animals are coming closer to human population. There have been a few bobcats spotted in the woods behind my house. Let us know here if you find out what it is.

Hi Tom, I will try and answer your question. I have not heard of an extinct wildcat in Florida. You say it is not the Florida panther but like a cheetah in head shape.

If you can accept that the cat you saw was smaller than you think it could be a jaguarundi. They like swamps and have small heads, small ears and red-brown coats. They are much smaller than you describe however.

Pretty well everything fits for this wildcat except the size.

There are few wild cats the size of a cougar. The only ones of similar size do not match your description and Florida is well outside their habitat or range.

The leopard has spots and is not red brown and it lives in Asia.

Sorry, I can’t help other than my suggestion. I have a faint memory of another sighting of a similar looking cat, which also fitted the description of a jaguarundi.

A visitor might do better than me.