one huge black cat

[doublebow]

Around here we have what is called a jaguarundi. It had completely disappeared for a while but it is making a comeback. It is black but it is not as big as what you are describing.

 

[gsim]

In southern states what you described would be a young black panther.

 

[gsim]

I forgot to mention that there is a kook who keeps a pride of lions in Roane county, TN. It is around 17 miles west of me. The neighbors claim the noise is unbelievable at times. I met a minister who lived very near to them and he was the first to tell me of it. Have heard it talked about by others since.

 

[DTchickens]

Black panthers have been in the south for awhile, my mother spotted one during the 1970s with her 3 brothers while she waited for the bus. It walked right across the road in front of them, glanced back, and jumped into the woods right before the bus came over the hill.

During the 80s or so there was another spotting by my parents, they had heard the cat screaming in the field for the past week but one night when the dogs hid under the porch (we're talking vicious dogs at that) whimpering and barking they shined the light out the door to see what it was, at which point they saw two green eyes starring back at them and a large black cat walking closer. They said it kept coming closer and closer while screaming so they shut the door and it still hung around for awhile.

Mountain lions are starting to be caught on gamecams around here too... And people say there are no large cats in Mississippi

.

 

[Chickenaddict]

I definately believe you! Here in MN there have been several mountain lions spotted, one very close to my house on a dashboard cam in a squad car they figure by the size of it on the cam it was around 200 lbs, one further north was hit on the road was 110 lbs and just the other day another was spotted further south of us. I remember camping when I was a kid and going on a nature hike with a few other kids at the camp grounds, we were walking down a dirt road and there was a large boulder with a very large mountain lion sitting on top of it so I think they have been around here for quite awhile as well. I am scared to go out in the yard by myself at night now especially after readin they can leap 20 ft in a single bound! The cat you spotted sounds like a black panther

 

[sred98]

I grew up in Arkansas, and I used to think there were only black panthers (or whatever kind of cat they are!) there. I never heard about anyone seeing the "regular" ones. I know that "they" say there is no such thing, but having heard my entire family talk about them, I believe they are there whether or not I've ever seen one. My family has hunted all their lives and know the difference between a big black house cat and a black panther!

We're in Oklahoma now and I've heard some of my husband's hunting buddies talking about them here, but it sounds like they are a lot more rare here. You see the regular mountain lions here all the time, even though Game and Fish deny them. We have one on our property.

I agree with Rhoda_bruce...it's a little nerve-wracking to know you're not the top of the food chain.

The boys want to camp out in tents, but I won't let them. They could be carried off and I'd never know it. Makes me want a big Airedale or Catahoula that's not scared of the big cats! There's bobcats all over, but I'm not too worried about them. But a cat over 100 pounds??? Forget it!!!

Shelly

 

[Ibicella]

Quote:
To put it it bluntly, humans really aren't the brightest of creatures. They just see "ooo, big pretty kitty!"

And we are also not really the top of the food chain. We are just heavily protected by our cities and homes. Otherwise, there is plenty out there that would be happy to make a human into a good meal. Be careful during twilight hours and stay alert when you go outside. Good luck and stay safe!

 

[jafo]

In 1964, or maybe '65 on Thanksgiving day, Mom looked out from the kitchen window to our neighbors field by the brook and said to my sil, "look at the size of that cat" so we all (family, 5 bros and wives / kids) took a peek, and my Dad says "that's no house cat Frieda, that's a black panther" Sure enough, he were'nt kidding. It was stretched out lying near the brook in the field. 'Round here, T-day is deer hunting, and later that day my oldest brother took a shot at the cat, it was down behind our house drinking from the brook. "course he missed, but a week later our neighbor who run a farm said he saw it take a deer in his field. The Vermont Fish and Game just recently admitted to the public, due to so many RECENT sightings (myself included, I have seen two full grown, and 3 cubs,,all black, since the 60's, last time was 2000) that Black Panthers / Cougar / Mountain Lion, take yer pick, are indeed in the Vermont woods. I have several reputable friends that have seen these big cats as well. I think it's awesome. Grey Wolf are coming in too. Got that from a warden while I was measuring up his house for town wide appraisals.