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.
About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).
Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015.
Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
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.
You could feed them and keep them as friends or pets. It’s not a rare thing that bobcats love people once trust is established. When I was a child about three years old I lived close to where you are. I used to wonder into the forest and I remember there was a cat that I loved to play with and touch. Now that I am much older and can understand I realize she was a bobcat. There were hunters there and they killed her. I was very angry at them so I made sure they never came back. There was no reason for that. They were just ignorant mean disgusting people. Anyways most domesticated animals are jerks anyways. I have never been injured from a so called wild one as many times I have been nipped, scratched, and bitten from toy dogs and obese cats. I am sure they would be more than happy to stay with you. The one in the pic looks like she is part panther like. Well I hope you can make some friends and understand them otherwise they will all be gone soon. She looks thin too.