Posted on 04/09/2015 6:06:44 AM PDT by Clint N. Suhks
Dramatic photograph appears to be real, experts say.
Many species of cats are great fishers, and bobcats are no exception. But one bobcat created an extraordinary fish tale when it pulled a shark out of the surf.
The dramatic moment was caught on camera by John Bailey in Vero Beach, Florida, Monday night, when he was walking along Sebastian Inlet State Park. Bailey has not yet responded to a request for comment but he told local media that he saw the cat fishing in the surf.
Suddenly, the cat leaped and dragged a shark three to four feet long (one meter) out of the water. Bailey photographed the action. The bobcat, seemingly startled, then ran off into the woods, leaving the shark on the beach.
Liz Barraco, a spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, says “we have no reason to believe [the photograph is] fake."
Bobcats are known to eat a variety of mammals and birds and they occasionally eat fish, notes Barraco. “But this is the first time we’ve seen them fishing in saltwater.”
Still, it’s not too surprising since bobcats are opportunistic predators, she says.
National Geographic Photo Editor Ken Geiger adds that an examination of Bailey's image, which was made on an iPhone 6, suggests it is authentic.
Seth Riley, a wildlife biologist, University of California, Los Angeles professor, and National Geographic explorer who works for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in California, said via email that he hasn't seen "anything like that" before in his years studying bobcats. But the behavior "doesn't surprise me," he notes.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.nationalgeographic.com ...
Technically, a shark. But really? Around here we call them dogfish. They are the locusts of the seas. And they are dang good eatin’.
That’s a big damn bobcat for Florida IMO.
No tail on that cat?
That was discussed yesterday on a different post. More like a mountain lion minus a tail.
So, this mountain lion then......where does it live? In Disney World’s Magic Mountain?
It’s been bobbed.
Been at the Seb Inlet ocean side many times.Rural beach in many areas.
But its the East Coast and the shadows are not indicative of evening,dusk or night and as they would be to the ocean side of the cat not beach side.
IMOP this is an early AM shot as the shadows are low and long and the sun appears be rising in the east if this is Sebastian
Are Bobcats named because their tails are bobbed?
That explains a lot!
5.56mm
Scary it is so close to people.
“That’s a big damn bobcat for Florida IMO.”
I first saw this picture a few days ago and the shark was described as being “4 feet”. That looks about right and if so, that looks more like a Florida panther. The tail may be turned away in the picture making it appear short. That’s a big cat!
“Around here we call them dogfish..”
I knew before clicking on your name that you were from Maryland. :)
I’ve been fishing on that beach while visiting Florida.
If not, you have to be close to my state. I only heard “dogfish” from Marylanders.
I didn’t know that!
So, this mountain lion then......where does it live? In Disney World’s Magic Mountain?
Florida Panthers is not just a hockey team.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_panther
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