Mystery Black Felid Photo: Identified
Posted by: Loren Coleman on January 8th, 2007
An update on the mystery black felid photograph (see various enhancements on this page) reveals some new information, which, in context, makes much sense.
The picture was taken December 2005, according to the photographer’s letter shared with me last night by felid researcher Ben Willis. The photo was taken by a retired biology professor from a Georgia university, Dr. Edward Yeargers . Dr. Yeargers had seen the cat, which he identified as a black bobcat, “several times” in his yard. The location of his yard - Palm City, Florida. Palm City is located in Martin County, Florida.
The professor wrote, in part:
I was a biology professor at Georgia Tech for 30 years - I’m a close observer. This one was about 18″ tall when it sat on its haunches (much taller than a domestic cat), had pointed ears and a short tail. When it walked, its hind quarters were higher than its front. I have also seen bobcats with conventional coloring in my yard, so I know the habitat supports them. Unfortunately, the whole area is about to be cleared and developed.
Considering that Martin County, Florida, is the major location for melanistic bobcats in this country, the pieces of the puzzle are beginning to fit together.
This is clearly a melanistic bobcat.
Other postings on this subject can be found here and here.
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Agreed! It is a shame that the whole area is about to be cleared and developed contributing to less habitat for animals such as these.
Beautiful animal.
At first when I saw this photo I thought it had been edited in some way judging from the ‘back end’ of the animal. However I’m willing to accept it’s real if you good people are
They look like stunning animals as well, cats of all kinds are one of my favourite animals, great story again.
I agree with Brindle. Very beautiful animal. Hopefully, this unusual creature will be able to move or adapt to the area’s clearing.
I would like to see DNA analysis done on one of these Floridian black bobcats. Wouldn’t it be cool if they turn out to ber a separate species instead of a color phase?
I agree with Kittenz, wouldn’t that be something? Beautiful animal either way.
Has anyone considered that this may be the only one of its type?
I’m thinking the offspring of a bobcat and domestic cat.
It is always a possibility.
Shumway10973, I have seen up close the offspring of a bobcat and a domestic cat. It was in Virginia. Fascinating cat but half wild and didn’t trust anyone but the woman who lived at the house there. Still, it would approach us and stay about 10 feet away. My guess is that such a combination of wild and domesticated cat, if it became common, would lead to a potentially dangerous animal; an animal that has less fear of humans than a truly wild cat. Probably wouldn’t be dangerous to adults, but small children might pique it’s interest. Very beautiful animals but I hope they stay hidden in the wild.
Please see the January 14th updated version:
Top Twelve Black Bobcat Hot Spots
It now notes the specific best dozen locations to go find these melanistic felids.