Comments on: Melanistic Bobcat Caught

By: batecobre

batecobre — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:09:04 +0000

In reading more of the posts, I would definitely say it looked in the 130lb range, and not in the 16-25 lb range. This was a huge cat, had a long tail, and did not have the long (beard) cheek hairs like the pictures above. I’m not an expert nor am I an aficionado, but what I saw is a pretty good description. Like I said, my first gut reaction was “I DIDNT KNOW FLORIDA HAD BLACK JAGUARS!!!!!!”. I came back, got on the internet and saw how it was unlikely, but possible. Chalk me up as a witness to a large black cat that looked like a jaguar, looked to be possibly over 100 lbs, and a long tail.

By: batecobre

batecobre — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:58:47 +0000

I just saw one on Sunday Morning!!!!!!!! Wesley Chapel area in an area of lots of wilderness with some new construction. I saw one (a large black cat, that looked too dark to be a fl panther) cross a new blvd. that has no homes around it. I was walking my dogs, and about 100-150 feet away I saw a huge black cat cross the blvd. Definitely not a large domestic cat, I could tell by the slightly lumbering run. I first thought it may be a jaguar, or a cougar, but that would be impossible.
I kept looking for it but could not find it again. Nice to see people’s comment and pictures of the black bobcats.

By: bigcathunter24

bigcathunter24 — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:33:29 +0000

i want one

By: realfarknmccoy

realfarknmccoy — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 10:11:14 +0000

That animal is a hybrid between a bobcat and a domestic cat – you can see that it has white marking between its back legs (a common color pattern in domestic black cats which is NOT found in melanistic wild cats).

By: catz

catz — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:54:23 +0000

I’m not really surprised that a black bobcat has been found. Genetics have a way of surprising us every once in a while. Any record of an albino yet? These color anomalies are bound to happen sooner or later with any specie and when they do it sure looks stunning!

Also, are there Lynx in this area? If so, I’ve read many reports that Lynx are interbreeding with local Bobcat populations in other areas. The offspring have longer faces. There is a site that shows many pics of these known crosses and they look similar except for the color. If it is a Lynx cross, or some other hybrid, I wouldn’t be surprised if they eventually find out that the combination of these two completely different gene pools unlocks or creates these new color variants.

By: DARHOP

DARHOP — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:22:35 +0000

alandp responds:
August 28th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Also, I’ve heard of bobcats interbreeding with domestic cats. Maybe this one is a hybrid.
Exactly what I’m thinking.. This animals features are different from your normal Bobcat… And different from a Linx also… It is either a New Species or a crossbreed… Beautiful animal though.. Hope it is released…

By: Sunny

Sunny — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:35:13 +0000

Any updates on this guy, Loren?

Scrabbydoo, the more I read your post, the more I think you are on to something — we were adopted by an Onyx Burmese some years ago — and the long muzzle, golden eyes, and long lanky legs fit right into the Burmese characteristics as much as the white belly patch and sleek fur do.

To be fair, though — Kittenz’ comments are also true — and I doubt there were many onyx Burmese around when these sitings began.

By: kittenz

kittenz — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 20:47:27 +0000

In don’t think it’s a “crossbreed” or a hybrid. I think that black bobcats will turn out to be a separate species. The ones that I have seen are more gracile than ordinary bobcats. Their fur also looks shorter and sleeker. Since they have been captured, killed, or photographed in the same general area over a period of several decades, I doubt that they are any sort of feral or mixed breed. I think they are an elusive localized species which is coming to light as humans are beginning to encroach on its habitat.

Bobcats don’t have such obvious ear tufts as other lynxes, and this fellow does look a lot like a bobcat in many ways. But I think that the DNA test results will be interesting

By: The Night Stalker

The Night Stalker — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:59:00 +0000

I have to agree. This cat looks to be crossbred. Too thin for a bobcat, no ear tufts, and the face is too long.

By: Scrabbydoo

Scrabbydoo — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:43:32 +0000

Hansome devil ain’t he?! I agree that DNA testing should be done. This bobcat looks like a cross of a Bobcat and an Onyx Burmese Housecat to me. My Onyx Burmese Cat weighs almost double this bobcat (28 lbs). He also has the white patch near the groin area that Onyx Burmese Cats tend to have. So testing should be done to see if this is a hybrid, subspecies, or a new breed.

Hybrids definately happen! Several years ago a friend’s cat gave birth to 4 cute little kittens. All four had stubby little tails, cheeck ruffs, and ear tuffs. 4 little calico bobcat hybrids running through the house. Luckily they took after their mother in size. They did have their daddy’s attitude tho. Mean little suckers! Tho all 4 found nice homes.