One of the things I love about the new technologies is that one can find just about any "proof" of life with a simple search.
For years I have been hearing of Bobcat sightings on Sanibel, and over the years I have on occasion seen the short tail of one disappearing into the brush.
Or there have been sounds at night that were unmistakably wild feline.
So I know that they are out there.
But getting a good look at these shy creatures has not to date been possible despite my strong desire to see them. And why not, I am a cat lover and these cats are really something remarkable.
Reading that:
"The bobcat, a type of lynx, ranges throughout southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. Smaller than other lynx species, the bobcat averages about 65 cm (26 in) high at the shoulder. Its spotted coat helps it blend in with rocks and brush. Although they are primarily terrestrial, bobcats are good climbers. Solitary and territorial animals, a bobcat will rarely enter another bobcat’s territory, searching out the company of others only to mate."
"The bobcat, a type of lynx, ranges throughout southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. Smaller than other lynx species, the bobcat averages about 65 cm (26 in) high at the shoulder. Its spotted coat helps it blend in with rocks and brush. Although they are primarily terrestrial, bobcats are good climbers. Solitary and territorial animals, a bobcat will rarely enter another bobcat’s territory, searching out the company of others only to mate."
My interest was more than piqued. So I have wandered around the Island, day and night, in and out of overgrown vegetation searching for this beautiful specimen. No luck thus far.
That is until I stumbled across the video from someone luckier than I and who was able to catch a good (not great, but good) glimpse of one.
Thanks to Youtube, at least I can now say I have seen a Bobcat on Sanibel. And so can you by clicking here:
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23 comments:
Im not too far from you (Hnedry county) and we have a resident Bobcat. :) Thanks for sharing!
For those of us who love cats, a bobcat sighting is a real treat!
I was staying at the Sanddollar on Sanibel Island the first week of April and saw a bobcat walk along the grass and disappear into the brush near the beach. It was just after sunrise. This animal was not spotted and looked to be about 50 pounds. I was a bit unnerved! Has anyone else seen something similar on Sanibel?
Because our vacation rental condo and vacation rental house on Sanibel are near Ding Darling Nature Preserve, I see just bits and pieces of the cats as they duck into the bushes. I would not be frightened, however, should I ever get a better look. These are very shy creatures.
i was on sanibel/captiva road heading towards captiva at about 6:40pm around mile marker 6 when a cat crossed the road. it looks a lot like the bobcat in this video. my boys were with me and are beyond curious about this cat. i hope it stays strong, healthy and alive for a long time to come. it looked pretty lean but amazing!
I think there is more than one bobcat on Sanibel. But lean may be the look to all of them as their natural body type. There is no end of "food" for the cats on the Island, all year round, so I don't think they are going hungry. Long live the cats!!!
My brother in law and I were fishing at a spot on Sanibel-Captiva Rd. between Bowman's Beach and Blind Pass last night. I looked over to where he was and seen a pair of bright glowing eyes (I was wearing a head light, thats why they were glowing). I told him that he had a racoon next to him, literally less than 10 feet from him. As he looked over, he nervously told me, thats not a racoon, its a panther. Upon further examination, we determined that it was far to small to be a panther. The cat calmly sat and let us get a great look at it. He then slowly walked along the edge of the woods back towards the main road where our cooler and tackle boxes were. I walked up that way and got my camera. He sat there and let me get as many pictures as i wanted. It was dark, and they pictures arent the greatest, but after looking online, I am 100 percent positive this was a Sanibel Bobcat
Lucky you, Aaron! If ever you post your pix on line, please let us know. Your just had a brush with greatness, IMO.
Two nights ago during our annual trip to Captiva, my husband was on his way from Baileys on San-Cap Road toward Captiva. There he was. He stopped and watched him saunter across the road, looked right at the vehicle, and moved into the brush. How cool is that?! No doubt there are Bobcats on Sanibel!!
So happy to see that sightings are still taking place!
Just saw it tonight about 6:45, off of Tarpon Bay near West Gulf.
I hope there is more than one and that they produce and multiply....anyone see the bear yet?
Just saw a bobcat in the Dunes development on Sannibel. It walked across our backyard and went into the sanctuary.... Very exciting! Did not have time to get the camera.
Just saw a bobcat trot across the street a few hundred yards away from the Dairy Queen - about 9:40 pm. Googled to see if such a thing were possible, and landed here!
So happy all these sightings are taking place!
Saw a bobcat last night around 6:30 while driving south on the Sanibel Captiva Rd - it was walking near Wulfert Rd. Funny, my wife says "that's a big cat," then we get closer and slow down and she's like "what is that!?". Got a very good look. Like others, wasn't sure what to think and searching brought me here.
Wish there were a way to know just how many "cats" there are on the Island!
A bobcat ( I think,surely not a panther) shot acress Middle Gulf rd as I was driving back to my hotel in Sanibel last week.
Thanks for letting us know!
We are staying at South Seas Island Resort in Captiva, Florida. It was about 6:00 p.m. in total day light as we were driving from our unit towards the beginning of the resort, and out comes a Bob Cat, slowly crossing the street just feet in front of use. By the time I realized what we were seeing, I thought I should pick up my phone and take a photo but couldn't take my eyes off of it. Wasn't sure what I was seeing at first, by that time it was going into the bushes on the other side of the road. He appeared to be 20 or 30 lbs.
Tony and Sherry
20 or 30 pounds sounds kind of small. I wonder if it was a young cat?
Just saw the bobcat crossing Rabbit Road at 7:15. He stopped to look at us. Cool.
Keep your eyes open for the coyote, too...
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