Forums · mystery critter
I had been planning to post about this earlier, but just had not got around to doing so. I just finished reading a book called "In the Big Thicket, On the Trail of the Wild Man", by Rob Riggs. Basically, it dealt with mysterious sightings and phenomenon in the Big Thicket area of East Texas (not far from where we live). According to this book, numerous accounts have circulated over the years about a Big Foot type creature in the area. The author tied this in with various Native American legends, a mysterious ghost light, and the appearance of a "black panther" that biologist claim does not exist. Anyway, it was a really interesting book, a little far out at times, but some theories that do make you wonder!
Now for the odd part... For years, I had heard older people, including my father, and others who had spent a good amount of time in the rural parts of this area talking about these black panthers. Most said they were about the size, maybe a little bigger than a bobcat, and made a blood curdling sound like a woman screaming. I never knew prior to reading this that this animal was said not to exist -- I just thought it may have been a rarity.
I was talking to my husband about it, and he knew all about the controversy. (The author of this book suggested that it may be a shape shifter with some sort of supernatual powers, and went on to offer the possibility that the big foot creature, the panther, and the ghost light were one in the same).
Saturday, we had gone for a ride, with nothing about this on our minds, I had gotten tired and laid down in the seat for a minute. I looked up and saw James very excited, telling me that he thought he had just seen a black panther. He described it as being considerably larger than a domestic cat, with a tail as long as the cat's body, jet black, and moving across the road very quickly (nothing appeared to be chasing it). He also described it as moving like a wild animal, not like a normal cat. Anyway, he was very excited! Of course, I missed the whole thing! =\
Has anyone else ever heard of or seen such an animal? Biologists insist that they do not exist, but I've heard about them all my life. What about the big foot legends and ghost lights? Do they seem to follow a pattern like this in other parts of the country? I'm curious now!
Now for the odd part... For years, I had heard older people, including my father, and others who had spent a good amount of time in the rural parts of this area talking about these black panthers. Most said they were about the size, maybe a little bigger than a bobcat, and made a blood curdling sound like a woman screaming. I never knew prior to reading this that this animal was said not to exist -- I just thought it may have been a rarity.
I was talking to my husband about it, and he knew all about the controversy. (The author of this book suggested that it may be a shape shifter with some sort of supernatual powers, and went on to offer the possibility that the big foot creature, the panther, and the ghost light were one in the same).
Saturday, we had gone for a ride, with nothing about this on our minds, I had gotten tired and laid down in the seat for a minute. I looked up and saw James very excited, telling me that he thought he had just seen a black panther. He described it as being considerably larger than a domestic cat, with a tail as long as the cat's body, jet black, and moving across the road very quickly (nothing appeared to be chasing it). He also described it as moving like a wild animal, not like a normal cat. Anyway, he was very excited! Of course, I missed the whole thing! =\
Has anyone else ever heard of or seen such an animal? Biologists insist that they do not exist, but I've heard about them all my life. What about the big foot legends and ghost lights? Do they seem to follow a pattern like this in other parts of the country? I'm curious now!
Wow Carrie,
I don't recall having heard of anything like this, but that's not saying much! :lol: Now, I know that black panthers and black leopards do exist. Is this what the biologists are trying to say does not exist? I must say I'm a little confused with the ties to BigFoot and ghost lights. Are they suggesting they are all one in the same (and shapeshift into the different forms)? Hmm! Ghost lights are weird - you can never reach them by walking toward them!
That's cool that James saw it - whatever it is! You might try looking this up over on http://www.artbell.com[/URL] Who knows what he may have on it. Let us know if you find anything good!
Kell
[ June 03, 2002: Message edited by: KellKell ]
I don't recall having heard of anything like this, but that's not saying much! :lol: Now, I know that black panthers and black leopards do exist. Is this what the biologists are trying to say does not exist? I must say I'm a little confused with the ties to BigFoot and ghost lights. Are they suggesting they are all one in the same (and shapeshift into the different forms)? Hmm! Ghost lights are weird - you can never reach them by walking toward them!
That's cool that James saw it - whatever it is! You might try looking this up over on http://www.artbell.com[/URL] Who knows what he may have on it. Let us know if you find anything good!
Kell
[ June 03, 2002: Message edited by: KellKell ]
Sorry for the confusion! The author of the book was the one linking the panthers, big foot, and the ghost light -- pretty wild stuff, but he did have some compelling arguments.
Black panthers are considered non-existant by biologists! In fact, today, James called a friend of his who used to work at the Houston zoo. This guy put him in touch with a fellow he knew at a large university, who told James, "I'm not sure what you saw, but it wasn't a black panther, there is no such thing."
We've checked out a few cryptozoology sites, and these sightings are really not uncommon. I had just always assumed that it was just a regular wild animal, I had no clue as to the controversy over it! :crazy:
Black panthers are considered non-existant by biologists! In fact, today, James called a friend of his who used to work at the Houston zoo. This guy put him in touch with a fellow he knew at a large university, who told James, "I'm not sure what you saw, but it wasn't a black panther, there is no such thing."
We've checked out a few cryptozoology sites, and these sightings are really not uncommon. I had just always assumed that it was just a regular wild animal, I had no clue as to the controversy over it! :crazy:
Carrie, I think I may be able to clear up some of the confusion about black panthers. We have a wild cat preserve near us. They keep former showbiz animals and other large cats that simply need a home. From what I have been told there and read in the encyclopedia the black panther is actually a Black Leopard. They don't exist as a seperate species but as a mutation of the different breeds of the spotted leapord. The black occurs in litters of the normal colored species and doesn't breed true to the black color, ie. the black color can have spotted litters and the spotted colors can have a black baby. In any case their natural enviroment are Africa and Asia. However that doesn't mean that they aren't here, people have been known to import illegal pets and then release them when they get to be to much. So there may very well be wild ones living near you. I hope this has helped you some. The black panther is not a mythical creature but technically they don't exist as a breed.
Renee ;-)
[ June 03, 2002: Message edited by: Renee ]
Renee ;-)
[ June 03, 2002: Message edited by: Renee ]
Maybe black panthers really don't exist. But that does not mean there isn't some kind of black cat living in that area. Any good zoologist would have to admit that there are animals that exist that we do not know about. This world is getting smaller but it still has it's mysteries.
I wouldn't doubt that there is a black cat population in the area since so many people have seen it.
As for bigfoot's(bigfeet?) that is a grand mystery.
I wouldn't doubt that there is a black cat population in the area since so many people have seen it.
As for bigfoot's(bigfeet?) that is a grand mystery.
I have seen the black "panthers" here in Arizona in Tucson at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. They are indeed leopards that are black because you can still make out even darker spots. They roam in Nothern Mexico and have recently been spotted with remote cameras placed in the desert into southern Arizona. I think it could be possible that they have a larger range than we suspect and a few may have even migrated into Texas. Anything is possible.
Seems we have a mixup in terms as all the big cats are panthers.
panther, name commonly applied to the leopard, especially to a black leopard. It is also used locally to designate various other cats including the jaguar and the puma. In animal systematics the generic name Panthera is given to all the big roaring cats: the lion, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, and jaguar.
jaguar , large New World carnivore of the cat family, Panthera onca. Jaguars range from the SW United States to S central Argentina. They have deep yellow or tawny coats marked with black rings, or rosettes, and spots. In all individuals at least some of the rings surround spots. This feature distinguishes the jaguar from the Old World leopard, which has similar markings, but never has rosettes with internal spots. The jaguar is also shorter-limbed and stockier than the leopard. An adult male jaguar is up to 7 ft (2.2 m) long, including the 2 1/2-ft (76-cm) tail, stands about 2 1/2 ft (76 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 200 lb (90 kg). Although the jaguar is classified with the big cats, which can roar, it does not seem to do so, a characteristic which it shares with the snow leopard. Jaguars are very adaptable animals. They are primarily forest dwellers but may be found on the South American pampas, or even in rocky semidesert areas of Mexico and the United States. In some regions they live an almost entirely arboreal existence for months at a time when the forest floor is flooded. They are also good swimmers and sometimes catch fish for food. Jaguars hunt deer, agouti, capybara, and especially peccaries. They are retiring animals, not particularly inclined to attack people, but a jaguar may launch an attack or even stalk a human being if threatened. In Mexico the jaguar is known as el tigre, the tiger, although true tigers are found only in Asia. Jaguars are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Carnivora, family Felidae.
panther, name commonly applied to the leopard, especially to a black leopard. It is also used locally to designate various other cats including the jaguar and the puma. In animal systematics the generic name Panthera is given to all the big roaring cats: the lion, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, and jaguar.
jaguar , large New World carnivore of the cat family, Panthera onca. Jaguars range from the SW United States to S central Argentina. They have deep yellow or tawny coats marked with black rings, or rosettes, and spots. In all individuals at least some of the rings surround spots. This feature distinguishes the jaguar from the Old World leopard, which has similar markings, but never has rosettes with internal spots. The jaguar is also shorter-limbed and stockier than the leopard. An adult male jaguar is up to 7 ft (2.2 m) long, including the 2 1/2-ft (76-cm) tail, stands about 2 1/2 ft (76 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 200 lb (90 kg). Although the jaguar is classified with the big cats, which can roar, it does not seem to do so, a characteristic which it shares with the snow leopard. Jaguars are very adaptable animals. They are primarily forest dwellers but may be found on the South American pampas, or even in rocky semidesert areas of Mexico and the United States. In some regions they live an almost entirely arboreal existence for months at a time when the forest floor is flooded. They are also good swimmers and sometimes catch fish for food. Jaguars hunt deer, agouti, capybara, and especially peccaries. They are retiring animals, not particularly inclined to attack people, but a jaguar may launch an attack or even stalk a human being if threatened. In Mexico the jaguar is known as el tigre, the tiger, although true tigers are found only in Asia. Jaguars are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Carnivora, family Felidae.
Connie, Your right! Last night I did a search on black leopords and saw that the term panther is used on alot of big cats. One website also mentioned to possibility of a black cougar(mountain lion?), but I would think that those would be larger than a leapord. Thank you for all that information.
You guys might find this funny, when I first did my web search I typed in "black panther". Well, what kind of web pages do you think that got me? That's right "THE" black panthers. :lol:
Renee
[ June 04, 2002: Message edited by: Renee ]
You guys might find this funny, when I first did my web search I typed in "black panther". Well, what kind of web pages do you think that got me? That's right "THE" black panthers. :lol:
Renee
[ June 04, 2002: Message edited by: Renee ]
Hey guys, thanks for the information! James has been looking at a field guide and thinks this critter may be a "jaguarundi"
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/feliyago.htm[/URL]
This picture looks a lot like what he saw! The jaguarandi is an animal native to Mexico and South America, but scientists claim it does not exist in East Texas, despite numerous sightings. I'm thinking these things have roamed up to the East Texas/South Louisiana area, and scientists just are not aware of it yet. The term "black panther" is probably a colloquialism, whatever it is, it was a magnificent creature! If anyone gets a chance to read the book by Rob Riggs, do so, I know Amazon has it -- strange, strange, stuff, but very interesting.
Right now, James is trying to get in touch with some people his family knows who found a dead one about thirty years ago. They may have kept the skin, and if so, James was hoping to send it off and have it analyzed.
Renee, I did the same thing -- wrong "black panthers"! :lol:
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/feliyago.htm[/URL]
This picture looks a lot like what he saw! The jaguarandi is an animal native to Mexico and South America, but scientists claim it does not exist in East Texas, despite numerous sightings. I'm thinking these things have roamed up to the East Texas/South Louisiana area, and scientists just are not aware of it yet. The term "black panther" is probably a colloquialism, whatever it is, it was a magnificent creature! If anyone gets a chance to read the book by Rob Riggs, do so, I know Amazon has it -- strange, strange, stuff, but very interesting.
Right now, James is trying to get in touch with some people his family knows who found a dead one about thirty years ago. They may have kept the skin, and if so, James was hoping to send it off and have it analyzed.
Renee, I did the same thing -- wrong "black panthers"! :lol:
Carrie, that's cool! I think maybe you've found your mystery critter! =D Beautiful animal..
I've seen those black leopards up close and personal and they are awesome! Black on black. =P
You're welcome for the graphics. I just emailed you another possible ladybug to use, so let me know which you prefer. ;-)
Kell
I've seen those black leopards up close and personal and they are awesome! Black on black. =P
You're welcome for the graphics. I just emailed you another possible ladybug to use, so let me know which you prefer. ;-)
Kell
Booniedawg, that is just too cool! My husband, James, actually talked to Chester Moore a while back. It looks like he has the seminars every once in a while, so we will bookmark the site. Kountze is a very short distance from us. Thanks for the link!
Very interesting Carrie,
I found this some time ago when I was looking for hauntings in the PGH. area, got it from AAG.
Old Fair Grounds Ball Park, Jefferson.
See below for information
Tom writes, "Tom Malvarknak (a resigned resident) of 59 years. In Jefferson Pennsylvania's ball park in the old fair grounds there is said to be a spiritual rebirth center and a mana vortex (where mana has a strong pull and energy flow).There is said to be animal spirits there that used to roam this state. One of the animals that roamed there is a black panther. It is a normal sized panther with major tendencies he has sharp teeth, huge claws, and can completely physical. He tends to stalk his prey but nobody has been attacked or killed yet he has only been sited by few and tends to stay in the shadows on the tree line. He also gives away his position in signs and signals about his location and where to find him next. The best thing to do is follow his signal and look for another. He comes out mostly at night but has also been said to be visible during daytime hours."
I wonder what this thing could be then? I had actually heard of it before. Maybe when the weather warms up I'll cruise down there & wander around.
I found this some time ago when I was looking for hauntings in the PGH. area, got it from AAG.
Old Fair Grounds Ball Park, Jefferson.
See below for information
Tom writes, "Tom Malvarknak (a resigned resident) of 59 years. In Jefferson Pennsylvania's ball park in the old fair grounds there is said to be a spiritual rebirth center and a mana vortex (where mana has a strong pull and energy flow).There is said to be animal spirits there that used to roam this state. One of the animals that roamed there is a black panther. It is a normal sized panther with major tendencies he has sharp teeth, huge claws, and can completely physical. He tends to stalk his prey but nobody has been attacked or killed yet he has only been sited by few and tends to stay in the shadows on the tree line. He also gives away his position in signs and signals about his location and where to find him next. The best thing to do is follow his signal and look for another. He comes out mostly at night but has also been said to be visible during daytime hours."
I wonder what this thing could be then? I had actually heard of it before. Maybe when the weather warms up I'll cruise down there & wander around.