a black puma? what was it?

[HiHood]

This morning, as most mornings, I walk in the desert. I have had bobcat cross my path, coyotes, kit foxes, badgers etc., and I know puma are here but haven't seen one while walking but they're here. Today I saw, what appeared to be of the cat family, much bigger than a domestic cat, and not quite the size of a medium dog. I'ld say perhaps, 20 lbs plus. and solid black.
I looked up cats in the area and there seems to be no "varification" that black lions are in N. America. It was quick.

[Eddie_T]

Black Panther is not a separate breed and the rarer black phase can occur in a number of breeds. From the size I wonder if it might have been a black Ocelot. If so it was indeed rare, both from color and breed.

[HiHood]

It may be I suppose, perhaps drifting as far as Northern AZ here, but I'm thinking an unusually large domestic cat or a kitten mtn lion/Puma. But at a fleeing glimpse I can't be sure. Odd. No houses around but mine. Wish I could have photo'd it.

[Eddie_T]

Originally Posted by HiHood

It may be I suppose, perhaps drifting as far as Northern AZ here, but I'm thinking an unusually large domestic cat or a kitten mtn lion/Puma. But at a fleeing glimpse I can't be sure. Odd. No houses around but mine. Wish I could have photo'd it.

Neat experience, you must really enjoy those walks.