I saw one cross the dirt road in northern Mexico. It was not standing tall, just the opposite. It was crouched down with is belly very close to the ground as it ran. Same as I have seen feral tomcats run, trying not to be seen. It’s tail appeared to be as long as it’s body.
That could have been a jaguar. They have been reported moving up into TX from the jungles of mexico. Awesome critter, and a stalker not a chaser— a belly walker.
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>> “I saw one cross the dirt road in northern Mexico.” <<
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That would be the jaguar or western puma (they are similar, may actually be the same species)
In California, the puma can vary from tan to almost black with some being faintly spotted like the Jag.