OT trail cam pics

[GunnyMack]

So I've been having issues with cars driving up my driveway, they get out of the car then hear Parker and Sage barking and beat feet. I bought a cellular trail cam to get make, model, color and possible license plates.
But I've also been getting the neighborhood critters, deer, foxes, a bobcat, coons, squirrels - even a red tail hawk.
But this cat has me scratching my head.
It is bigger than Fluffy the housecat.

Screenshot_20250727_090523.jpg

I stuck a length of bamboo in the ground( you can see it in the photo), it's 20" tall and yes the cat is a little further back so the scale is off some but it's still a big kitty. The tail length is what's concerning- sure looks like a mountain lion tail to me !?
Those of you that are in puma country I'd appreciate your thoughts.
I'm going to try to get it closer to the camera with either catnip or valerian root.

[jeepnik]

Based on the positioning of the feet, assuming the cat is walking, it's a domestic feline. Just a big one. I had one that went 22#s. I never measured his height, but he was easily much taller than my next biggest 15# cat. Maine Coons normally run between 14" and 16" tall. The fur doesn't look right for one of those, but it could easily be a mix breed.

As an aside, I once had a Standard Poodle. These normally don't go much over 40#'s with the big standards maybe 50#'s. But the breed was originally much larger. I got him because he got to big for show. How big? Try 125#'s, and no fat, when he was in his prime. Perfect dog for a kid that liked the outdoors. He was heck for strong, and so fast he would play with field mice like a cat would.

[AJMD429]

.
In south-central Indiana we have once again been seeing bobcats (I last saw one as a gradeschooler in the 1960's), and the DNR has 'verified' their comeback.
They certainly are sneaky though - if it weren't for trailcams, we'd not know they were around.

We have also seen pretty credible tracks.

Now the latest thing around here is that mountain lions are probably around as well, and the DNR seems to be cautiously verifying that as well.

So you never know...!

I never heard/read about the position-of-feet thing, but would be interested in how that differentiates the felines. Perhaps more trail-cam pics would help if you can get some - see if the camera has a video mode. Also perhaps you could put a mouse or rabbit in a cage out there to lure in a curious feline predator again.

[ollogger]

First glance at it, LION ! showed it to the wife she said the same thing, LION
we have both seen Lion close to the house or from the house, year ago or so i shined a light on one bout 10 yards from the house, you wont forget the eyes, ive shined plenty of barn cats, coon & other critters, i think were both spot on that its a lion




ollogger

[wvfarrier]

Cougars are awesome

[Bill in Oregon]

Sure could be a juvenile cougar, Will. Sorry about your two-legged problems!

[earlmck]

Yep, young cougar lookin' for dinner.

[GunnyMack]

If I get a crack at it we'll know for sure!
We don't "have " them here in NJ so I'm not going to say anything word... shoot, shovel, shut up!

[Paladin]

Looks like one of these, and these are local mountain lions.