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What's the terrain like where this critter was seen? Does it have a tail? I think we can rule out the elusive Hudspeth County wampuskitty until a cow comes up missing.
I'll be damned, I didn't know Coatimundis ranged this far north. We used to see
them a lot in Panama and always got a kick out of how they held those long
tails straight up.
He saw it again this evening. It was on open ground, so it's much taller than he thought- about knee high. He also said it was obvious it was of the feline persuasion. So... knee high mottled gray cat... what color are y'all's bobcats out here? In TN they're tawny colored.
Quote:
Originally Posted by skinem
A couple other possibilities you don't see a lot but are out there...
collared peccary
Coatimundi
Ringtail cat
I'd rule out coati and ringtail (not really a cat, it's a member of the Family Procyonidae, or the family that has raccoons and coati in it) based on coati's known distribution in NM and the fact that the Moriarty area is fairly flat and featureless until you start approaching the Sandias and Manzanos where favorable rocky habitat exists for ringtails. BISON-M - Ringtail - Bassariscus astutus
I'd also rule out javelina (peccary) on the above description of "feline persuasion" by the OP.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Horrell
I'll be damned, I didn't know Coatimundis ranged this far north. We used to see
them a lot in Panama and always got a kick out of how they held those long
tails straight up.
The BISON-M website stands for Biota Information System Of New Mexico and is compiled by New Mexico Department of Game & Fish. The only place I've seen coati was a lone animal (odd in and of itself as they typically travel in troops) crossing a road in the Chiricahua Mountains of SE Arizona.
Going off the OP's first and 2nd descriptions I'd even possibly rule out badger. The "feline persuasion" has me leaning more to common gray fox, possibly swift fox (but doubtful). The gray fox, again, fits the feline-like description and being about knee high.
For giggles and grins, here's a badger a friend and I saw while out around Conchas Lake on the 12th.
I'd rule out coati and ringtail (not really a cat, it's a member of the Family Procyonidae, or the family that has raccoons and coati in it) based on coati's known distribution in NM and the fact that the Moriarty area is fairly flat and featureless until you start approaching the Sandias and Manzanos where favorable rocky habitat exists for ringtails. BISON-M - Ringtail - Bassariscus astutus
I'd also rule out javelina (peccary) on the above description of "feline persuasion" by the OP.
The BISON-M website stands for Biota Information System Of New Mexico and is compiled by New Mexico Department of Game & Fish. The only place I've seen coati was a lone animal (odd in and of itself as they typically travel in troops) crossing a road in the Chiricahua Mountains of SE Arizona.
Going off the OP's first and 2nd descriptions I'd even possibly rule out badger. The "feline persuasion" has me leaning more to common gray fox, possibly swift fox (but doubtful). The gray fox, again, fits the feline-like description and being about knee high.
For giggles and grins, here's a badger a friend and I saw while out around Conchas Lake on the 12th.
Boy he looks like a happy go lucky character::NO!!!!
I was seeing coyotes on a frequent basis when I rode my bicycle down this one road here in Ruidoso. So this particular day, I saw a coyote all poised to pounce on some critter that was in its hole - a mole or field mouse? The coyote wasn't more than 30 feet from the shoulder of the road as I passed, and so intent on that hole in the ground that it paid me no mind.
And as I passed on by, my mind said; "That is the healthiest looking coyote I can recall seeing." So I did a turn-around and made another pass and it wasn't until I had taken a really good look that I realized I had to be looking at a gray wolf! One of those released into the wild in southern NM, I feel sure. And a couple of days later our animal control officer confirmed for me that there had been several reports of a gray wolf in the area. Too bad I didn't have a camera along.
Hm, wouldn't think so. We're total plains grasslands here.There are mountains around, but we're talking miles away in Edgewood or even the Sandias. Totally flat, can see for a bazillion miles (not an exaggeration, btw).
So, old 'coons lose the mask? I've learned so many things about animals I didn't know on this thread!
If it has a tail, it's held at the same height as the body and isn't distinguishable (that looks to be spelled wrong). The first sighting was near the road and it was apparently in hunting mode and crouched. Seen in the field, it was just out for a stroll, I guess.
We took that road this afternoon (too wet this morning. The caliche tends to vary in consistancy out there in the rain- it's either gummy or super slick and you never know which one it is until you drive over it :0)
Greg's been told by a lifelong resident (and apparently a pretty dependable guy) that he works with that the animal in question is a bobcat and that darker versions do exist than we're used to. The guy also shared that a mountain lion was seen right across from the store there in Santa Rosa. Bet he helped clear out the lot lizards! lol
Hm, wouldn't think so. We're total plains grasslands here.There are mountains around, but we're talking miles away in Edgewood or even the Sandias. Totally flat, can see for a bazillion miles (not an exaggeration, btw).
Rode the bike through Mountainair, Willard, Estancia and Moriarity Sunday...
You ain't kiddin' about "flat".
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