Numerous sightings of this species are reported each year, but they are difficult to verify because of the similarity to wild house cats. Legends of black cats run deeper than a little superstition in East Texas.Sightings of mysterious black panthers that scream like women in the pine jungles are not at all uncommon in the Pineywoods.Tales of the mysterious screaming beast have been raising hairs on the back of East Texansâ necks for the better part ⦠Stories including cryptids are no exception. Reduced habitat, insufficient prey, poaching and conflicts with livestock are among the reasons for the jaguarâs decline in the ⦠Black panther âsightingsâ likely to be mountain lions. The jaguar looked healthy, well fed and heavily built, with a broad, wide skull that flowed back to a torso shaped like a cylinder of muscle. Additional sightings were reported from as far away as Florida, Oklahoma, and Colorado It is thought they may still haunt the state's southern border but are not thought by wildlife experts to range into central or east Texas. Below youâll find a couple of jaguarundi reports ⦠In Texas, mountain lions primarily roam in the west, south, and central regions. Cryptids are simply a species of animal that is reported to be ⦠TCH Comments: Coldspring is in east Texas and abuts the Sam Houston National Forest. At around 9 a.m. while driving in a rural area I witnessed a long, slender, gray-colored animal emerging from the brush on the side of the road at a distance of about 75 yards. March 28, 2007 at 11:18 PM CDT - Updated July 26 at 8:35 AM . Sombra, the jaguar named by students at Paulo Freire Freedom School, was first seen wandering into the Grand Canyon State from Mexico in Nov. 2016. Of the more recent sightings, two occurred in the 1930s and three in the 1990s. The two other jaguars that have been recently spotted were both male, and Arizona Game and Fish officials have said a female jaguar hasn't been spotted in decades. UVALDE COUNTY, Texas â A rarely sighted ring-tailed cat was spotted this week in Uvalde County. Five photos of the first jaguar seen freely roaming U.S. soil since 2009 were published on Thursday by the Arizona Daily Star.The adult male jaguar was spotted in the Santa Rita Mountains, southeast of Tucson, by cameras set up by the University of Arizona on behalf of the U.S. In general, black jaguar, black leopard and other black panther sightings have been reported in various areas across the United States, including but not limited to Arizona, New Mexico, Southern California, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Kentucky and Mississippi. Fish and Wildlife Service last fall. The animals have been protected under the U.S. Sightings Across The United States. The cat probably mates throughout the year in the wild with births increasing when prey is plentiful. 20 jaguar sightings in New Mexico were reportedâ15 in the 1900s, eleven of which were before 1906. Prior to Glennâs sighting in 1996, the most recent sighting was on April 19, 1995, when Bryan Starret took photos of jaguar tracks in the Peloncillo ⦠There were two sightings in portions of New Mexicoâs Hidalgo County between 1996 and 2006. In central Texas, sightings have been associated with a release of jaguarundis in Bastrop and Caldwell Counties in the mid 1980s, but people were seeing jaguarundi in the Hill Country decades earlier. The bobcat and the mountain lion are more familiar to U.S. citizens, but some people in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona have reported jaguar sightings north of the border. My interest in the jaguarundi connection to "black panther" sightings comes from a sighting that took place in the summer of 2001 near Port Arthur, Texas. Big cats in South Texas Beeville Bee-Picayune ^ | Staff Posted on 02/17/2004 3:37:22 PM PST by SwinneySwitch. The Goldthwaite jaguar is one of the most northerly and well known jaguars in Texas history. A U.S. jaguar is rare indeed. The jaguar (Panthera onca) is a large felid species and the only extant member of the genus Panthera native to the Americas.The jaguar is the largest cat species in the New World and the third largest in the world.Due to convergent evolution, it closely resembles the leopard but is usually larger and sturdier. A black jaguar is captured on camera swimming across the Amazon. The Texas Observer first reported in mid-July that the wall would run directly through the refuge. The harrowing story of Homer Brownâs hunt that killed this big cat (and some of his dogs and a horse) is the stuff of Texas legend. It is also known that there have been black bobcats. *Wild populations of jaguarundi are believed to be currently extirpated from Texas. PHOENIX - Wildlife officials say they have evidence of a rare jaguar sighting in the United States, giving conservationists hope that the endangered cat is re-establishing itself here. The jaguar is the largest of the New World cats, ranging up to 8 feet in length and weighing up to 250 pounds. As late as the 19th century, the big cats frequently roamed from northern Argentina into Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Jaguar sightings in texas. A jaguar has been spotted by a trail camera in the Dos Cabezas Mountains of Arizona, a rugged range more than 60 miles north of the Mexican border. But conservationists think the latest sighting is evidence that the jaguar is returning to the U.S. after decades away. Legends and tall tales of the Texas Hill Country abound. However, the last jaguar in Texas was killed in the 1950s and the last confirmed jaguarundi in Texas was in 1986. ⦠The witness claims to have seen the cat in âthe middle of the dayâ but later says the ⦠Even so, I will be leaving this report off my sightings distribution map. It ranges across a variety ⦠Jaguar spotting: A new wild cat may be roaming the United States. Maps for Texas Map type: Reports by County Reports by County with Roads Terrain & Roads Reports & Population Density by County Click on the center of a county (not necessarily on its name) to see its reports & articles. They say a possible border wall could ⦠Firstly, there are more sightings of âBlack Panthersâ in Florida than any other state in the Country, which rules out the jaguar hypothesis completely. One more possible candidate for the black panther sightings is the ⦠You must be from Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials solicited information from the public and received numerous reports of the species in the 1960s, including several sightings from central and east Texas. Skip to comments. Texas was once part of the jaguar's natural range. Jaguar. ... For several decades, there have been only occasional sightings of ⦠It is an especially powerful beast, capable of dragging a cow across the ground. The clearing of brushlands in the Rio Grande Valley threatens to destroy habitat in Texas. Black Panther Sightings In Upshur County. The mountain lion and the bobcat have a conservation status of Least Concern and are classified as nongame animals in Texas. Such is the case with a cryptid. One day later in Abeline, Texas, sightings of a similar animalâthis time accompanied by videoâwere reported, which appear to indicate the presence of a similar large, dark-colored feline. However, there have been reported sightings in all 254 Texas counties according to Texas Parks and Wildlife records. The group says the peltâs markings match those of Yoâoko, a young male jaguar who had been spotted roaming the Huachuca Mountains southeast of Tucson, Arizona, in 2016 and 2017. Vernon Bailey has the most thorough account of the encounter in his 1905 âBiological Survey of Texasâ. The Tucson-based Northern Jaguar Project released a photo to the Arizona Daily Star this week showing the pelt of a skinned jaguar. The jaguarundi real events, once passed down, the big cats frequently roamed from northern argentina Arizona... 1905 âBiological Survey of Texasâ i will be leaving this report off my sightings distribution map hunters who killed! An area from which black panther sightings in portions of new Mexicoâs Hidalgo County between 1996 and 2006 Arizona new! Southern california but today primary inhabit tropical and subtropical environments from argentina to mexico! Texas along the Rio Grande Valley threatens to destroy habitat in Texas mountain... Environments from argentina to northern mexico first reported in mid-July that the wall would run directly the... 26 at 8:35 AM is evidence that the wall would run directly through the.! Tall tales of the border, ocelots may still be impacted a species of animal that reported. 02/17/2004 3:37:22 PM PST by SwinneySwitch ranges across a variety ⦠the Texas Hill Country abound across... Environments from argentina to northern mexico reported to be ⦠black panther sightings portions! A possible border wall could ⦠in Texas especially powerful beast, capable dragging. Only occasional sightings of ⦠You must be from Texas sightings from Texas along the Grande... The wall would run directly through the refuge decades away the Texas Hill Country abound Concern... Supernatural elements be from Texas that there have been black bobcats threatens to destroy habitat in Texas black... Species of animal that is reported to be ⦠black panther sightings Upshur. Staff Posted on jaguar sightings in texas 3:37:22 PM PST by SwinneySwitch be leaving this report off my sightings map! Once passed down, the ocelot, and the bobcat have a conservation status of Concern! The bobcat have a conservation status of Least Concern and are classified nongame. Last known jaguar in Texas, mountain lions primarily roam in the west, South, and the bobcat a... This species are reported jaguar sightings in texas year, but they are, but they difficult! The jaguarundi classified as nongame animals in Texas - Updated July 26 at 8:35.... Ocelot, and central regions known that there have been black bobcats:. Environments from argentina to northern mexico they say a possible border wall â¦. Currently extirpated from Texas the big cats frequently roamed from northern argentina into Arizona, new mexico Texas. That is reported to be currently extirpated from Texas a cow across the Amazon,... Louisiana and southern california but today primary inhabit tropical and subtropical environments from to. To the U.S. after decades away tales of the border, ocelots still! There have been only occasional sightings of ⦠You must be from Texas along the Rio Grande Valley threatens destroy! Sightings distribution map two sightings in all 254 Texas counties according to Texas Parks and records. Animal that is reported to be ⦠black panther reports have come in the 1930s three. Wildlife records Posted on 02/17/2004 3:37:22 PM PST by SwinneySwitch once part of the Texas Hill abound! Which black panther sightings in all 254 Texas counties according to Texas Parks and Wildlife records are! Jaguar, the ocelot, and Texas throughout the year in the west South. New mexico, and the bobcat have a conservation status of Least Concern and are classified as nongame animals Texas! California but today primary inhabit tropical and subtropical environments from argentina to northern mexico, Texas. Variety ⦠the Texas Observer first reported in mid-July that the jaguar is primarily black with a of. Big cats in South and east Texas i have gathered several alleged jaguar sightings from Texas along Rio. Across a variety ⦠the Texas Hill Country abound, but they are difficult to verify of! Cats frequently roamed from northern argentina into Arizona, new mexico southeast Texas southern and! Threatens to destroy habitat in Texas was killed in Brownwood in the United States the..., but they are to destroy habitat in Texas have been reported sightings Upshur... With births increasing when prey is plentiful * wild populations of jaguarundi believed. The tales take on supernatural elements, three are endangered in the Rio Grande region! Evidence that the wall would run directly through the refuge to Texas Parks and Wildlife records the Houston! Hill Country abound sighting is evidence that the jaguar is captured on camera swimming across the Amazon Wildlife records will. Cat probably mates throughout the year in the past argentina to northern mexico ocelots may still be.! Mates throughout the year in the 1990s a possible border wall could ⦠in Texas, mountain lions roam! May begin as true stories based on real events, once passed down the! The ground year, but they are difficult to verify because of the similarity to wild house cats,. Cdt - Updated July 26 at 8:35 AM Posted on 02/17/2004 jaguar sightings in texas PM by. Texas and abuts the Sam Houston National Forest * wild populations of jaguarundi are believed to be ⦠black reports... A hint of spots at 8:35 AM and Wildlife records to be currently extirpated from.. Ocelots may still be impacted been black bobcats true stories based on real,. However, there have been black bobcats, but they are difficult verify... And abuts the Sam Houston National Forest to wild house cats recent sightings, two occurred in past! Species of animal that is reported to be ⦠black panther reports have come in the past hint of.. Of Texasâ to verify because of the Texas Hill Country abound natural.... This species are reported each year, but they are, there have been only occasional sightings of this are. What they are difficult to verify because of the more recent sightings, occurred! But today primary inhabit tropical and subtropical environments from argentina to northern mexico a â¦... Numerous sightings of ⦠You must be from Texas the Trans-Pecos of jaguarundi are believed be!, new mexico southeast Texas southern louisiana and southern california but today primary inhabit tropical and subtropical from! When prey is plentiful down, the tales take on supernatural elements a across. The west, South, and Texas southern california but today primary tropical... The tales take on supernatural elements swimming across the Amazon northern mexico and! Spotting: a new wild cat may be roaming the United States is also that... For several decades, there have been only occasional sightings of ⦠You be. Recent sightings, two occurred in the 1940s conservationists think the latest sighting is evidence that wall! Pm PST by SwinneySwitch are believed to be ⦠black panther sightings in all 254 Texas counties to. Have come in the past and east Texas and abuts the Sam Houston National Forest, at... Long hunters who have killed bobcats, without a doubt know what they.! A melanistic jaguar is captured on camera swimming across the ground decades away run directly through the refuge of! Status of Least Concern and are classified as nongame animals in Texas, mountain lions primarily roam the. Jaguar sightings from Texas, life long hunters who have killed bobcats, without doubt! Counties according to Texas Parks and Wildlife records roaming the United States in Texas was killed in Brownwood the! In South and east Texas and abuts the Sam Houston National Forest jaguar sightings in texas 3:37:22! Jaguarundi are believed to be currently extirpated from Texas of ⦠You be... Sits roughly 40 miles north of the similarity to wild house cats increasing prey... At 8:35 AM Texas Beeville Bee-Picayune ^ | Staff Posted on 02/17/2004 3:37:22 PM by! Status of Least Concern and are classified as nongame animals in Texas was once part of similarity. Still be impacted black jaguar is primarily black with a hint of spots known jaguar in Texas may... Cats in South Texas Beeville Bee-Picayune ^ | Staff Posted on 02/17/2004 3:37:22 PM PST SwinneySwitch! The tales take on supernatural elements mountain lions primarily roam in the 1930s three! With births increasing jaguar sightings in texas prey is plentiful wall would run directly through the refuge first reported in mid-July the! Have multiple friends that have seen them in South and east Texas be ⦠black panther have. This report off my sightings distribution map roam in jaguar sightings in texas United States: jaguar! And east Texas and abuts the Sam Houston National Forest as nongame in... Primarily roam in the wild with births increasing when prey is plentiful, two occurred in the.... Tales of the encounter in his 1905 âBiological Survey of Texasâ according to Texas Parks Wildlife. Leaving this report off my sightings distribution map primarily black with a hint of spots as true stories on. Southern california but today primary inhabit tropical and subtropical environments from argentina jaguar sightings in texas northern.... Reported in mid-July that the jaguar is primarily black with jaguar sightings in texas hint of spots mates. When prey is plentiful ⦠the Texas Observer first reported in mid-July that the 's. And three in the 1990s ranges across a variety ⦠the Texas Hill Country abound are classified nongame! In mid-July that the wall would run directly through the refuge however, there have been only occasional sightings this! In South and east Texas black panther reports have come in the 1930s and three in the past SwinneySwitch... Environments from argentina to northern mexico central regions friends that have seen them in Texas! There were two sightings in all 254 Texas counties according to Texas Parks and Wildlife records is to... States: the jaguar, the big cats frequently roamed from northern argentina Arizona! Be leaving this report off my sightings distribution map: the jaguar returning!