A neighbor just found a cat paw print that measured 7-inches across!

[DemoTex]

What the hell could that be? I've seen a 100-pound panther here on the mountain, but I wouldn't think it had a paw that big!

:scared:

[shraby]

1. Sure it's a feline print?

[DemoTex]

4. He thought it was. I didn't see it.

Sounds more like a big black bear to me. I hope to see it tomorrow.

[auntAgonist]

2. Yikes!

maybe it's the 100 lb panther now OFF the mountain?

7 inches? umm I guess I'd call the animal control people. Wait... what is he measuring it against?


:evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin:


O8)

[Nay]

3. Now THAT'S a big kitty. Any small dogs or housecats missing??

[DemoTex]

7. No missing animal reports on our mountain.

My Nick-Nick had an encounter with a panther one night last November. He sticks very close to the house at night now. Of course, he sleeps inside.

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. Any lions escaped from a zoo anywhere near????

That is one BIG cat paw print.

Comparing the size with my sister's approximately 45-pound dog, who has big dog feet.

[DemoTex]

9. No zoo nearby out here in the wilds. No circus either.

Funny though, we do have white squirrels that have migrated here or were dumped here from Brevard, NC (15 miles away). Brevard got the white squirrels (not albino) decades ago when they escaped from a circus or carnival.

[greatauntoftriplets]

12. White squirrels?

I've never seen one. We do here and there get black squirrels up here in Chicago, but they are rare.

Unfortunately, the gray ones are ubiquitous.

We do (even in the city) get possums, raccoons and the occasional skunk. There are areas if the city near forest preserves where deer roam. I personally have seen some, always awes me that they can coexist with such "civilization" and heavy traffic.

My point is that it is amazing what animals you can see, even in an urban environment.

[DemoTex]

13. White as snow.

[greatauntoftriplets]

15. They are rather cute.....

but I guess they are still squirrels. Thanks for the photo and the information.

[DemoTex]

20. Actually, I call the entire species "oak rats."

White, grey, red, brown, black. Max nix.

[greatauntoftriplets]

22. And damn voracious house eaters....

yuk!!!

[maxsolomon]

6. a man walks into a bar & takes out a tiny piano

& a 10 INCH PIANIST!

wow, what a great audience!

[NV Whino]

8. It's ether fake

or a bear print. Cats just simply don't come that big... of course if it's a Texas cat....

[DemoTex]

10. I'm thinking bear.

I have seen a 400-pound black bear up here. That bear would have some big paws.

[auntAgonist]

16. call CBS (?) :) n/m

[baldguy]

11. One of these guys?

[DemoTex]

14. Mountain house for sale. Cheap.

:scared:

[auntAgonist]

18. ROFLMAO!!!!!!!

[Sporadicus]

17. What You Got is a Wampus Cat!

Seriously, a black bear is the likely pawprint artist.

[davsand]

19. Is this neighbor a male fisherman?

Men and fishermen typically are quite generous in estimating size of anything...

Have his WIFE measure it, and call the local university if she says it is that big!!!!


Laura

All joking aside, have you guys seen any scratched up trees or found any unusual droppings in the area? I didn't realize bears were even possible anymore that far south...

[DemoTex]

23. Laura, you do realize that I am in the western NC mountains now?

Long gone from Dallas. Lotsa bears down here. And a growing population of panthers.

Neighbor is thrice divorced, misogynistic, and alcoholic. That's why I want to see the print tomorrow. I think it is a bear print.

[davsand]

31. Whoops! Brain Cramp!!!

You have become a mountain man now!! I did know that someplace in my reptile brain and it escaped me when I made that post! I'll just slink back into the corner now...


Laura

[DemoTex]

32. The "DemoTex" connotation throws people off.

But I don't want to change by DU name. Been here as DemoTex since 5/2001. You are an DU oldtimer too. Always good to hear from you, Laura.

Mac

[nosmokes]

21. maybe it was a cat stevens print...

[DemoTex]

24. We do have a beautiful moon shadow on the mountain tonight.

However, I'll check it out tomorrow, after morning has broken.

[nosmokes]

27. be careful, it's a wild world

[havocmom]

25. How many toes in the paw print? And how damp is the ground around it?

Bears show 5 toes, Cats have five but one is higher on the foot, like a dew claw, so usually will show 4 toes in a print.

bear print images

panther track gotta scroll down for the paw print

Ground damp and/or soft, an running cat will likely leave a larger print than one would think. Saw some about 8 inches across one day after a fall rain, at about 9,500 feet (OK, it was in Montana). They were definitely mountain lion, a big boy! Woke the beastie up from a mid-morning nap and saw him spring away...

edited to add: My ol pal, Durty Murphy Fox, said if ya have to defend yer-self from a bear, remember they have very sensitive noses. If ya find yer-self in a perdiciment, whack 'em on the nose with a big stick. Said a baseball bat works pretty durn good. Ol Tom, on the next chair said that's why he gave up baseball... TRUE STORY

[DemoTex]

30. Havocmom, great reference images! Thanks. I'm bookmarking.

I always carry a hiking staff (my dad makes them for us - we have a dozen now.) when trekking the trails. Nick (the quick), since he runs far ahead at times, wears bear bells on his collar.

The ground is still damp from all the rain from Ivan and Frances (25-inches+). However, I am still thinking that he has seen a print from our big black bear.

[onebigbadwulf]

26. You should see the pile of poo I found...

It's huuuuuuge man.

[kestrel91316]

28. Not sure how big mountain lion prints get.....................

but that would be SOME CAT if that's what it is. Lions are on the increase nationwide since they aren't hunted, and they survive well near towns which provide Doggie Snax and Kittie Snax in large quantities.

[kestrel91316]

29. Oh and BTW............................

if it's a lion hanging out near your home, BE CAREFUL. They can and do take down and partially consume adult humans. A good reference is the book "Beast in the Garden", I forget the author. It came out this year or last.