Residents in northwest Bexar County, Texas, have been urged to exercise caution following a reported sighting of a "large, long-tailed cat" near their homes, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) announced.
The sighting was reported on Tuesday in a greenbelt area near the 10400 block of Foxen Way, located off Highway 16, north of Helotes.
Deputies responded promptly but were unable to locate the animal, described as dark-colored with a long tail.
"We urge residents in the area to remain vigilant and exercise caution near this area," stated the Bexar County Sheriff's Office in a Facebook post following the sighting. "Please be cautious of outdoor pets, consider keeping them inside during this time, and supervise children when playing outdoors."
The sheriff's office has advised residents not to approach the animal if they see it again but to contact the BCSO immediately at 210-335-6000. Deputies will continue efforts to safely locate and capture the cat to ensure community safety.
Newsweek contacted the Sheriff's Office via email for an update on the situation.
Possible Feline Species in the Area
While the exact species of the sighted cat has not been identified, several types of large cats are known to inhabit or have historical ranges in Texas, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Mountain lions, one of the larger cats native to Texas, are known to inhabit remote areas, but sightings are possible across the state. Males can reach lengths up to 8.5 feet and weigh around 184 pounds, while females are smaller.
Solitary and shy by nature, they typically avoid humans. Their diet primarily consists of deer and smaller animals, though they sometimes feed on livestock.
Smaller than mountain lions, bobcats have distinctive black-tipped ears and short, "bobbed" tails. They weigh between 12 and 36 pounds and are generally about 3.5 feet long. While typically preying on small mammals, bobcats may also target domestic animals, such as chickens or small livestock.
The ocelot, endangered and elusive, primarily inhabits the Rio Grande Valley with only a few populations in Texas. With a unique spotted coat, ocelots are smaller than mountain lions, weighing between 20 and 35 pounds.
However, it's unlikely this sighting involves an ocelot, as their range in Texas is limited to specific southern areas.
Although jaguarundis used to roam southern Texas, they are now rarely, if ever, seen in the wild. These small cats, often mistaken for house cats due to their size and coloration, are capable jumpers and hunters of small mammals and birds.
Numerous sightings of jaguarundis are reported each year.
Jaguars are the largest of the American cats, reaching lengths of 7 feet and weighing in at up to 200 pounds. Sightings in the U.S. are extremely rare, although the odd wanderer from Mexico is possible.
Resident Precautions and BCSO Response
The sheriff's office encourages residents to remain alert and mindful of outdoor activity in the area, especially when pets or young children are outside.
"If you have any further sightings or information, do not approach the animal. The BCSO is working to safely capture this animal for the safety of the residents in this area," the post said.
This incident is part of an ongoing trend, as previous reports of large cat sightings have surfaced in the Helotes area. In May, residents reported several sightings of large, unidentified cats to local new outlet KSAT.
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