It’s been known for a long time that the cats can be bred together in captivity, but now we know that this hybridization also sometimes happens where wild populations of the two overlap. Wild bobcat/lynx hybrids have been documented in Maine, Michigan, and Minnesota (that I know of). This is an older article from the US Fish & Wildlife Service that discusses in more detail the confirmation of some Maine hybrids.

I wonder if these hybrids could be the animals that are killing dogs and livestock in Maine?

Recently there was an article about interspecies hybridization on the National Geographic news website that indicates it may be more common in nature than is generally thought:

It just goes to show that someone like Jim Jung, who watches and listens to the natural world, can intuitively come to a knowledge years ahead of the “established” scientific community.

I have really enjoyed the The Waterman and Hill-Traveller’s Companion also Jim’s websites, not just for the puma sightings update but for the folksy, downhome information on everything from gardening to fishing. He will be missed.