I really think that is a Bobcat, I would see them in West Texas very often.
Has anyone ever seen a Lynx out west or up in Canada? That would be a rare sight. I would be interested if they could make it as far south as Maine.
Between 20 and 25 lbs, I would guess. The farther north you go - the bigger they get, generally speaking.
The ones I routinely saw in FL (weekly) usually only averaged 15 lbs or so but I've seen at least one that would go close to 35 lbs here in NC. I see them fairly often at very close range while hunting.
That's interesting, he looked much bigger to me in the photo, but I sometimes don't catch the perspective--and, again curiousity--why do they grow larger, the further north they are? Is there more area for them to range and therefore they are larger...? Sorry to be blonde, I guess I could google it...
It's called Bergmann's Rule. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergmann's_rule. It's just a rule, not a law, but you do see it in a number of species that have a large range, like the American Black Bear here in Florida are much smaller than ones in Canada.
I live in the North West Corner of CT and I have seen 3 just in the last 6 months. With one of them in my backyard. But never a chance to get a picture. VERY jealous. I am crazy about taking pictures of wildlife. Have some real nice ones of Timber Rattlers, MA, NY, PA and VA.
Oh and to your question it sure does look like one.
I have seen several bobcats while hiking and camping it is a bobcat in your pics
I wanted to say mountain lion at first, based on the size, but with the markings, and the fact that bobcats are so much more common, my vote is bobcat.
New bobcat pics the Smokies! No, not mine - gorgeous pics though, and gorgeous cat!
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Formerly 'F-Stop'
If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one.
~ Dolly Parton
That is definately not a bobcat! Athough very elusive(think bigfoot!!), my husband and hit one after it ran out in front of us one night,and it was alot smaller than this! It scared me looking at these pictures to think that a mountain lion is walking around in broad daylight in a residential area!
My .02
A VERY large bobcat. Mt Lion not as stocky, has long tail.
Wouldn't want my kids playin' with it.
Great picture.
I saw a mt lion cross I-81 near Lexington VA years ago. Much bigger than this critter with a very long tail. Wasn't much further away than this picture -I gotta good albeit brief look. Majestic.
Wouldn't want to meet it on the trail alone.
I am 99.99% sure that is a Siberian Tiger. If it's not that then it's a Sabertooth Tiger for sure, I can't make out exactly how many inches it's K9's are, they appear to be slightly under 14 inches so I am leaning towards Sabertooth.
A Lynx perhaps?
Formerly known as Texas Phlox.
That is a not a cougar it is definitely a bobcat. A big boy too. Cougar's have long tails and are sandy color. That is definitely a bobcat. I've seen both in the wild. Cougar on PCT and Bobcat on AT. That is a big bobcat.