Believe it or not, it’s possible see wild black panthers, like this one here, naturally in the Southeastern U.S. Although most commonly applied to leopards and jaguars, the term “black panther” can refer to any wild cat with the melanistic (black-colored) mutation. This beautiful fellow is a melanistic bobcat. Only thirteen have been conclusively confirmedContinue reading “Bobcats: Black Panthers in the South”
Category Archives: General Info
Cats Hunting Wildlife Isn’t Nature
House cats are the domesticated descendants of the African wildcat (Felis sylvestris lybica). Our native cats, here in the Southeastern United States, are bobcats and pumas. These animals hunt to survive, not for sport, and their natural prey is well-adapted to survive their predation. The Southern U.S. ecosystem is NOT adapted to handle the massiveContinue reading “Cats Hunting Wildlife Isn’t Nature”
The Black Coyotes of the South
Four hundred years ago, the forests of the Southeast came alive every night with the howls of red wolves. These beautiful creatures often carried the melanistic gene, which gave them jet-black fur. Researchers believe this was because it provided an advantage when hunting in dark, densely wooded areas during the night. Mass deforestation, hunting, andContinue reading “The Black Coyotes of the South”
Foxes: Not a Danger to Kids or Pets
An adult fox weighs, on average, five to twenty pounds— the same size range as a domestic cat. Foxes eat small, easy prey like mice, rats, voles, moles, and rabbits. A fox will never attempt to prey on another carnivore, especially one that is larger than itself. Essentially all cases of non-rabid foxes “attacking” cats,Continue reading “Foxes: Not a Danger to Kids or Pets”
