Category Archives: Mysterious Wildlife

The Strange Rock Apes Reported By Many Vietnam War Veterans

Were U.S. soldiers in Vietnam only battling human enemies—or were they also encountering undiscovered ape species in the jungle? Author RC Bramhall joins Dark Outdoors to reveal the terrifying legend of the Rock Apes.

Were U.S. soldiers in the Vietnam War facing more than just human enemies? Many veterans swore they encountered these creatures, known as the “Rock Apes,” while fighting in the dense jungles of Southeast Asia.

On this episode of Dark Outdoors, RC Bramhall, author of Haunted War Tales, joins Chester Moore to share chilling stories of these bipedal, ape-like beings and the battles that ensued.

You can listen to this intriguing episode here.

Blending military history, cryptid lore, and firsthand soldier accounts, Bramhall explores whether these encounters were stress-induced hallucinations or genuine brushes with an undiscovered primate. If you’re drawn to the eerie crossroads of war stories, wilderness mysteries, and other strange outdoors phenomena this episode is one you can’t miss.

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Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

A Mexican Gray Wolf In Texas?

I’ll never forget staring into the eyes of a big male Mexican gray wolf.

Its piercing eyes reflected a wild lineage that roamed the Southwest until the white man moved in with guns, traps and poison.

This was early in my career and the animal resided at a captive breeding facility where remnants of the highly endangered subspecies were being bred for release into the wild.

I shot tons of photos but they were lost in Hurricane flood damage-along with many others.

Since that time there have been numerous releases in New Mexico and even pups born in the wild there.

So, when Jaclyn Booth sent me this photo I took notice because the animal looked very much like the wolves I had seen at the facility so many years ago.

But before we get into this let me tell you about something that can save your life in the great outdoors.

In remote areas, finding an unusual amount of foot traffic is a real warning sign of finding illegal growers and meth operations. Believe me-It happened to me.

I give my safety tips and tell some crazy outdoors dangers stories including a guy who had an attack dog set loose on him when he came across a grow in Arkansas. Listen to this episode at the link below.

Dark Outdoors: Murder Mountain, Meth Labs & More

Now back to the wolf-something far safer to encounter in the wild! Remember-people are the most dangerous thing.

The photo came through my “The Wildlife Journalist” Facebook and had no information on where it came from.

My thought was “Wow, that’s a gray wolf, probably a Mexican gray wolf.”

I messaged her to find out what state the photo came from and when she said it came from her ranch in Hall County, TX I was in shock.

The photo below is a coyote from the same ranch and in fact at different angles of the same log. Compare this coyote and the canid in the above photo.

Now compare with this one of a Mexican gray wolf taken at the Alameda Park Zoo below. Notice the extreme likeness.

In 2013 I had a professional trapper who has trapped and killed thousands of coyotes tell me of seeing a Mexican gray wolf near Alpine, TX the year previous. He was adamant at what he saw.

Is there a possibility of having Mexican gray wolf-coyote hybrids (that maybe lean heavily on wolf appearance) in the region?

Absolutely. It has been proven that coyotes and gray wolves hybridize by numerous researchers.

A Mexican gray wolf in a zoo for comparison.

Are there Mexican wolves in Texas?

The jury is still out but on a ranch in Hall County there is definitely an animal that looks a whole lot like one. If you have any wolf photos or videos from Texas or animals you might suspect are carrying wolf DNA email to chester@chestermoore.com.

Chester Moore

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Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Seguin, TX Jaguarundi, Big Cat Sighting

Over the years, I’ve tracked countless reports of mystery cats across Texas—from the Pineywoods to the borderlands—and every now and then, a sighting pops up that really grabs my attention. That happened again recently with reports coming out of Seguin, Texas, where residents have taken to social media to share stories of a large, black feline being called a jaguarundi roaming near homes and fields.

Check out my latest video on the jaguarundi.

Some are saying it’s a jaguarundi—a small wild cat once native to South Texas and long rumored to still exist in isolated pockets. And honestly, I can see why people would think that. The descriptions match up: long-bodied, dark-colored, with a tail nearly as long as the body itself. It’s the kind of profile that some say matches a jaguarundi.

Jaguarundis are one of the least known cats on the planet. Although short, they grow fairly long and someone seeing one of these cats could easily label it “black panther”. (USFWS Photo)

But before we jump to conclusions, let’s take a breath.

I’ve been studying these kinds of sightings for decades, and while I don’t doubt the sincerity of the witnesses, I always encourage a cautious approach. Jaguarundis haven’t been officially documented in Texas for quite some time. That said, I do believe there are some in Texas but there is another cat with a similar appearance.

In my own work, I’ve coined the term “black longtail” to describe what some people mistakenly call “black panthers” in Texas and elsewhere. The cats I am talking about obviously aren’t melanistic leopards or jaguars but they also don’t neatly fit the normal domestic house cat category. They’re something else. I’ve collected dozens of firsthand accounts of black, long-bodied cats that defy easy classification.

So could the Seguin cat be a jaguarundi? It’s possible. Could it be a black longtail? Just as likely. I’ve even considered the idea of large black domestic cat hybrids or escaped exotics playing into these stories.

The reality is, we don’t have conclusive photographic or biological evidence yet. What we have is an intriguing sighting that fits a pattern I’ve seen before.

If you’re interested in digging deeper, I’ve covered the jaguarundi mystery in detail on my YouTube channel in the video in this video.

I also explore the wider phenomenon of “black longtails” in this video: A Look At The black Longtail

If you’re in the Seguin area and have seen something similar—or have clear photos or videos—I’d love to hear from you. These mystery cats continue to fascinate me, and every report helps build a broader understanding of what might be out there.

Whether it’s a surviving pocket population of jaguarundis or another chapter in the black longtail mystery, one thing is certain: Texas still holds wild secrets. And I’ll be here, doing my best to uncover them.

Gulf Great White Shark Documentary Premiee-You’re Invited!

A documentary from award-winning wildlife journalist & conservationist Chester Moore.

A mysterious great white shark sighting out of Sabine Pass, TX leads to a 20-year investigation from the Texas Gulf Coast to Cape Cod. This proves the true apex predator of the Gulf of Mexico is returning to southern waters in a big win for ocean conservation.

Click here to access the event page on Facebook. Please RSVP.

World Premiere Presentation at Museum of the Gulf Coast Saturday June 21.

700 Procter St, Port Arthur, TX 77640

Event 10-2

Documentary Premiere at Noon with second playing at 1 p.m.

Celebrating the new groundbreaking documentary on the 50th anniversary date of the “Jaws” release. 

*”The Jaws Effect: Presentation by Chester Moore 

*Premiere of Documentary 

*Q&A with Chester Moore & Videographer & Editor Paul Fuzinski and some of the stars.

*Door Prizes 

Chester Moore

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Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Bobcat or Ocelot Hybrid? Awesome Photo!

This week, we received a remarkable bobcat from Grayson County, Texas, whose coat features unusually bold, ocelot-like spotting. The patterning is unusual.

Could this be a case of hybridization, or is it simply a rare natural variation?​

The bobcat from Grayson County adds to the intriguing spectrum of bobcat appearances in Texas. As bobcats continue to thrive across the state and show up on more game cameras. We have seen several with these kinds of markings.

Have you encountered a bobcat with unusual markings? Share your experiences and photos—we’re eager to learn more about these fascinating felines!

Self Defense In the Outdoors (Must Listen!)

Listen and subscribe here .

Joining us is special guest Jeff Stewart—renowned authorgunsmith, and outdoorsman—who brings decades of tactical knowledge and backwoods experience and self defense to the table. We cover vehicle ambush scenariosdefensive tacticsgear recommendations, and how to mentally prepare for the unthinkable.

This is a must-listen for anyone who spends serious time off-grid, from overlanders and hunters to campers and rural residents.

Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms

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Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

An Answer To Gulf Sea Snake Mystery?

The réponse to my blogs about sea snake sightings in the Gulf of Mexico over the last few years ha been tremendous. I have received nearly 200 reports dating back to the 1970s ranging from Cuba to the South Texas Coast.

Some have included photos that were misidentified eels, yet other reports were more mysterious.

Sea snakes are not indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic so these reports are quite controversial to say the least.

I recently received an email with an interesting and (fairly) clear photo of a snake caught on Galveston Island, TX.

The people who caught it thought it might be a sea snake.

After all, it was on the beach and did not look like snakes commonly seen by most citizens in the region.

The snake in the photo however is a Gulf salt marsh snake (Nerodia clarkii clarkii).

I never thought of these being the source of some Gulf region sea snake sightings until receiving this photo.

It does makes sense for numerous reports I have received in open bays and beaches in the region.

Very few people know of this snake and they are very aquatic.

According to officials with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), the Gulf salt marsh snake grows to a length of 15 to 30 inches.

Distinguishing characteristics include two longitudinal tan or yellow stripes on each side of the body, making up the dorsal (top) pattern of the snake. It has a reddish-brown or grayish-black ventral (bottom) color with one to three rows of large pale spots along the center of the belly. This snake is flat headed.

They added that as a way to avoid predators, salt marsh snakes are nocturnal (active at night) and often hide in shoreline debris and in crab burrows in the mud or sand.

The Gulf salt marsh snake does not have salt glands to help rid itself of the salt it eats so it must be very careful not to drink salt water. It gets moisture from rainfall and from the animals it eats.

Interestingly, their name is Nerodia clarkii, but it is a subspecies of this group so the actual name is Nerodia clarkii clarkii according to the University of Florida 

The other two subspecies are found in Florida.  The Mangrove salt marsh snake (Nerodia clarkii compressicauda) is found from central Gulf coast of Florida, around the Keys to Indian River County on the Atlantic coast.  The Atlantic salt marsh snake (Nerodia clarkii taeniata) has a very small range.

These snakes are nonvenomous but will bite if handled.An illustration of a true sea snake, a banded sea krait. If you are vacationing or working in their Pacific and Indian ocean range do not pick up. Sea snakes are the most venomous snakes on Earth despite generally having a calm disposition.

It’s best to leave them alone especially noting that TPWD officials and other researchers believe their numbers are on the decline.

These unique snakes will not account for all of the “sea snake”sightings in the Gulf region but I now believe they are part of the equation.

Chester Moore

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Many Sea Snake Reports Come From the Gulf of Mexico

There are many sea snake reports coming from the Gulf of Mexico.

Sea snakes are not native to the Gulf and there have never been scientifically verified specimens found in the region but sightings persist.

Here is just a sampling of reports we have received at Higher Calling Wildlife®.

Cave Encounter in Cancun, Mexico
A swimmer in a cave with their 3-year-old daughter encountered a massive, dark, shiny black snake with a vivid, wide red stripe along its side. Estimated at 10 feet long, the snake had a flat, wide body much larger than a python. Despite seeking answers at an aquarium, they could not identify this unusual snake among known sea snake species, as most are much more slender. The sighting occurred 25 years ago.

Sea Krait Sighting in Galveston, Texas
A marine biology-trained couple observed a 7–8 foot long sea krait with a paddle-like tail and unmistakable blue coloring. It swam against a strong outgoing tide near a fishing pier and eventually moved onto land. The witnesses emphasized their certainty in distinguishing it from an eel and speculated its presence might be linked to international shipping introducing non-native species to the area.

Possible Sea Krait in Nayarit, Mexico
A snorkeler in the Islas Marietas National Park off the Nayarit coast reported seeing what appeared to be a banded sea krait on the sea floor in a reef. The observer sought confirmation of similar sightings, unsure if their identification was accurate.

Yellow Snake Encounter in Corpus Christi, Texas
A yellow snake emerged from the water at a beach, startling a group of friends. After comparing photos, the snake was tentatively identified as a juvenile yellow-bellied sea snake. The incident led to a discussion on the rarity of sea snakes in the Gulf of Mexico.

Translucent Snake in Bradenton Beach, Florida
A translucent pinkish snake, approximately 2 feet long and 1 inch in diameter, was seen on multiple occasions at a pier. A similar yellowish snake was observed once, both swimming at the surface near lights.

Group of Banded Sea Snakes in Pasco County, Florida
At least 20 banded sea snakes were spotted swimming near a creek mouth by a fisherman with decades of experience in the area. The snakes moved towards the Gulf with the outgoing tide, an unusual sighting for the seasoned observer.

Sea Snake Sighting in Akumal Bay, Mexico
On two separate occasions, a visitor observed what appeared to be a sea snake gliding along the shoreline in Akumal Bay. The black-and-white banded appearance matched images of sea kraits. The observer was struck by the rarity of such sightings in the Caribbean.

Sarasota Bay, Florida Sea Snake Observations
A white sea snake with black bands was seen multiple times in Sarasota Bay, Florida. The observer explained the sightings to friends and initially assumed such snakes lived in the Gulf before reading articles indicating otherwise.

Banded Sea Snake Near Freeport, Texas
During a fishing trip near an offshore oil rig, a witness observed a black-and-white banded sea snake near the rig’s structure.

We believe some of these reports are likely a case of mistaken identity with eels, but some are not as easy to explain away.

What do you think about these reports?

Do you think you have encountered a sea snake in the Gulf of Mexico?

Submit reports to chester@chestermoore.com.

Creepy Dolls In the Swamp!

Swamps are popular places for hunting, fishing and camping.

Swamps are also a place where many crimes are committed and where many missing people simply vanished.

​In this captivating episode of the Dark Outdoors podcast, renowned author and adventurer Lyle Blackburn delves into the enigmatic and often perilous realms of North America’s swamplands, as chronicled in his book, “Sinister Swamps: Monsters and Mysteries from the Mire.” Tailored for hunting and fishing enthusiasts, this discussion unveils the hidden dangers and mysteries lurking within these shadowy wetlands.​

You can listen here on Apple Podcasts & Spotify here.

You can also listen directly on Podbean.

Unexplained Disappearances in the Everglades and Great Dismal Swamp

Blackburn recounts chilling tales of hunters, campers, and outdoorsmen who vanished without a trace in the vast expanses of the Everglades and the Great Dismal Swamp. These stories of missing outdoors lovrs highlight the unpredictable and treacherous nature of these environments, where dense foliage and murky waters can conceal both natural and unnatural threats. Listeners are urged to consider the potential hazards that lie beyond the familiar trails, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and preparedness in such remote areas.​

Venturing into the heart of an Alabama swamp, Blackburn explores the unsettling discovery of mysterious dolls eerily displayed among the trees. This bizarre tableau has puzzled locals and visitors alike, sparking theories ranging from local folklore to sinister intentions. For those who frequent the outdoors, this account serves as a reminder of the inexplicable occurrences that can transform a routine excursion into an uncanny experience.​

Check out our first, groundbreaking article on sea snakes here.

Chester Moore

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The Black Coyote -A New Photo And The Mysterious Red Wolf Connection

“Can you ID this caught on a trail came in Polk County, TX this morning?”

I received that text yesterday along with the following photo.

This is a melanistic -black coyote.

Black (melanistic) coyotes, distinguished by their striking black coats, are a rare and captivating occurrence within coyote populations, particularly in the eastern half of the coyote’s range.

This unique coloration results from a genetic mutation that increases the production of eumelanin, the pigment responsible for black and brown pigments in mammals.

Back in 2021, I wrote of a black coyotes after my friend Todd Jurasek captured a video of one in Southeastern Oklahoma. I wrote the following.

Watch the video filmed in broad daylight here.

With recent evidence showing red wolf DNA in coyote-like canids on the Texas Coast, it would be interesting to have a DNA sample from this black one.

The red wolf which was native from Texas/Oklahoma to the eastern seaboard had a subspecies called the “black wolf”.(Canis niger). Niger means black in Latin.

In fact, “black wolf” was a term commonly used throughout the South for what is now known as the red wolf due to the presence of black individuals.

This is a red wolf from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service captive breeding program. It’s a little confusing whether Canis niger was considered a subspecies or was actually the name of the red wolf. Either way the link is undeniable.

I have a copy of the 1946-47 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biennial Report that goes into detail about wolves in the Bayou State.

Under the headline “Predator Control” the following information is given.

“The Legislature of 1946 increased hunting license fees to $2.00. Twenty five percent of these funds (the increase) were dedicated to predator control.”

Interestingly, the article shows the above photo of a predator control officer with a dead “black wolf”.

The red wolf was declared extinct in the wild in 1980 due to hybridization with coyotes.

In a 2024 article over at deerassociation.com the author notes the first discovery of black coyotes.

During the 1950s, Arthur Halloran of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) was the first to document the appearance of black coyotes in Oklahoma as coyotes replaced the extirpated red wolf. 

The article goes on to say that Philip S. Gipson, then with the University of Nebraska, was the first person to investigate melanism in eastern coyotes during the mid-1970s, when they were first making inroads into Arkansas.

Gipson reported that nearly 8% of coyotes in Arkansas were melanistic, with most black coyotes occurring in the northern areas of the state. Because many of the black canids could not be differentiated from typical coyotes, Gipson attributed some of the occurrence of melanism to hybridization with red wolves in Oklahoma and Texas.

It seems my theory from a years ago about black coyotes having a red wolf link way down the line may hold some water. At least it seems the extirpation of red wolves paved the way for melanistic coyotes.

Fascinatingly, in a study you can read here, researchers say that behaviorally, melanistic coyotes exhibit notable differences from their lighter counterparts. Research has shown that black coyotes have larger home ranges, averaging 10.5 square miles compared to 6.7 square miles for standard coyotes. They also demonstrate a stronger preference for areas with substantial canopy cover and shadows.

I saw a black coyote about two miles from my home with (oddly enough) Todd Jurasek who captured the aforementioned black coyote video in Oklahoma.

I had heard about it being spotted near a refinery and we saw it one night on the side of the road near that refinery.

A few weeks later, I was giving a wildlife seminar and a man who lived about 1/2 mile from this spot walked up with a picture of what was no doubt that same animal dead. He had shot it in his backyard (which is perfectly legal by the way.)

Subscribe to this blog to get these kinds of updates.

Here’s the truly interesting part.

This all happened within about three miles of a location where some of the last “pure” red wolves were captured from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s captive breeding program in 1979-80 timeframe.

I started my career writing my first published column about red-wolf like animals in the area back in the 1990s.

It seems the presence of red wolves at least in the past and black coyotes is one we can no longer igmore. It’s a fascinating look into the removal of the red wolf and show’s that nature is very resilient.

Seeing a black coyote is a real treat and I am glad I got to see this Texas specimen taken by trail camera.

Have you ever seen a black coyote? Do you have photos? I would love to see them. Email chester@chestermoore.com.

Chester Moore

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Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Feral Primates In America!

In a new ideo, we dive into a fascinating theory: could feral primates in America—such as escaped or thriving populations of orangutans, chimpanzees, or other apes—be behind some Skunk Ape and Bigfoot sightings?

Watch our mini documentary on feral primates in America.

We present:

*Verified photos of feral primates thriving in the wild.

*A mysterious roadkill photo from Louisiana that raises more questions than answers.

*Eyewitness reports of baboon-like creatures spotted in Texas and Louisiana.

This video explores the possibility that some Skunk Ape and Bigfoot-like reports could stem from encounters with escaped or feral apes.

Could these sightings explain some of the more ape-like descriptions of these elusive creatures? Watch and decide for yourself!

Verified photos of feral primates thriving in the wild. A mysterious roadkill photo from Louisiana that raises more questions than answers. Eyewitness reports of baboon-like creatures spotted in Texas and Louisiana.

While we don’t think feral apes are the answer to Bigfoot, this video explores the possibility that some Skunk Ape and Bigfoot-like reports could stem from encounters with escaped or feral apes.

Could these sightings explain some of the more ape-like descriptions of these elusive creatures? Watch and decide for yourself! 💬 What do you think? Are feral primates a plausible explanation for some Bigfoot or Skunk Ape reports? Let us know in the comments!

Chester Moore

Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms

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My Uncle And The Rock Apes Of Vietnam

When I was a kid, my Uncle Jackie Moore used to tell us stories about his time in the Vietnam War, and one story, in particular, has stuck with me.

He would never tell us detailed battle stories or anything involving killing.

In fact, he would say quite often, “If someone starts talking about all of their confirmed kills, rest assured they were a cook and never saw combat. The real guys don’t talk about it.”

He would however, talk about his friends and things he saw there.

He said the scariest thing that ever happened to him wasn’t being shot at or navigating through the dense jungles; it was being set up on an ambush and feeling something hit him in the back. When he turned around, expecting to see an enemy soldier, he was shocked to see what he described as a “rock ape” throwing stones at him.

As a child, I imagined these were some kind of apes native to the Vietnamese jungles, but as I grew older, I learned that Vietnam has no native great apes.

What my uncle described was essentially a cryptid—a creature not proven by science. Sightings of these so-called “rock apes” were so common among soldiers that one of his friends in the troop earned the nickname “Rock Ape” because of his muscular build, reminiscent of the mysterious creatures they encountered.

He never spoke of it like a “yeti” or anything but like it was just a normal animal they saw quite a bit in country. It was described as the size of an extra large chimpanzee.

The dense jungles of Vietnam, filled with unknown flora and fauna, have been the backdrop for many stories and myths, especially during the time of the Vietnam War. Among the most intriguing tales are those recounted by Vietnam veterans about their encounters with the ‘Rock Apes’ – mysterious creatures said to inhabit these enigmatic landscapes.

The ‘Rock Apes’, locally known as the Nguoi Rung, have been a part of Vietnamese folklore for generations. Described as small, bipedal creatures covered in hair, these beings are said to be more than just figments of imagination. The stories from soldiers who served in Vietnam add a compelling layer to this legend.

Many veterans who returned from the war brought back tales that go beyond the typical war stories. Among these are numerous accounts of encounters with the Rock Apes. These stories often involve sightings of creatures observing them from a distance, strange noises in the night, and even confrontations.

Some veterans recall moments when they spotted figures moving swiftly through the trees. At first, these were dismissed as enemy soldiers, but the agility and unfamiliar sounds made them think otherwise. These encounters were often brief and left the soldiers puzzled and sometimes frightened.

There are more intense stories where soldiers describe being attacked by these creatures. These confrontations usually occurred at night, with the Rock Apes reportedly throwing rocks or screaming from the darkness, causing confusion and fear among the troops.

While these accounts are fascinating, they are often met with skepticism. Some suggest that the stress and strains of war might have led to hallucinations or misidentifications of known wildlife like monkeys. Yet, the consistency in the descriptions of the Rock Apes by different individuals adds a layer of mystery to these claims.

The stories of Vietnam veterans encountering Rock Apes add a fascinating, albeit eerie, dimension to the history of the Vietnam War. They remain a captivating part of the war’s legacy, reminding us of the untold mysteries that war-torn jungles might hold.

Have you ever heard of rock apes? Did you have an encounter with one in Vietnam?

I would love to hear your stories. You can email chester@chestermoore.com.

Chester Moore

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About That Cougar In Port Arthur

A recent photograph from Port Arthur, TX has sparked debate about whether the animal captured on camera is a cougar (mountain lion) or just an ordinary domestic house cat.

You can read the story and see the pics here at KBMT.

Southeast Texas is within the cougar’s range, despite some state officials downplaying their presence over the years.

They are not common here but they do inhabit the greater Southeast Texas area and are technically native to all of the Lower 48. Actually, they’re native from Canada all the way to Argentina.

A cougar looking quite intense. (Photo by Chester Moore)

Upon close inspection of the photo in question the animal in my opinion is a large domestic cat, made to appear more imposing due to its distance from the camera.

Jan. 2025 Update: Photographic proof of cougars in East Texas. Click here to see.

Perspective can play tricks, and this in my opinion is a classic case of misidentification—a phenomenon I’ve encountered many times in my investigations of alleged cougar sightings.

People make mistakes in identifying things in blurry pictures. It happens.

Over the years, I’ve analyzed numerous photos that were believed to depict cougars. In many instances, these turned out to be domestic cats or even bobcats, their true size exaggerated by camera angles or distances.

Something I noticed about the animal in the photos is the size of the paws. They are domestic cat size in proportion to the body.

Cougars have big paws from juveniles to adults. I have included a photo of me when I filmed with a young cougar in 2013 at a zoological facility.

See how big the paws are?

I have a full body cougar mounted in my office that I inherited years ago. The cat was probably 120 pounds. Notice the paws in comparison to my fairly large hand.

I cast a cougar track around 2010 in Orange County and had a sighting there when I was a teenager at a very close range that I have documented here.

These cats will show up in our area but I am in agreement with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department official consulted by the news agency here.

They said it was most likely a domestic house cat.

I believe it is one as well.

And this comes from someone who has written many articles about these cats in East Texas.

I just don’t believe we’re looking at one here.

I will be glad to be proven wrong with clearer photographic evidence but I don’t see that happening in this situation.

Chester Moore

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Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors and Higher Calling Wildlife podcasts on all major podcasting platforms.