Mountain Lion
Posted by Joe Cannata on August 20, 2006
Q: Today I saw a very large cat that was about the size of a German Sheperd dog. The cat was a tan color with a very thick tail. The tail had dark tan rings around it. Also, the cat had a thick dark brown collar (maybe a tracking collar?) What do you think this cat is?
Habitat: suburban/yard
State: Arizona
Habitat: suburban/yard
A: Thanks for a nice description. I think your "tail" description has done the trick. Sounds to me that you've seen a Bobcat. These cats are very secretive, get up to about 26 pounds but with fluffy fur look much larger. Their tails are indeed thick, rather short and have darker bars on them. Had this been a Mountain Lion (Puma) I think you would have noticed a much longer tail. Both Bobcats and Mountain Lions are found in Arizona but the Bobcat is much more common. Although Bobcats live across most of the U.S. and southern Canada, they're not often seen so your sighting was special - lucky you. Thanks for sharing.
John Wiessinger ( August 21, 2006)