Big cat in Coldstream

Photo: Christine Huizinga-Kitagawa

Bobcat spotted in the Coldstream area.

A Coldstream woman caught a glimpse – and some photos – of an elusive Okanagan resident. 

Christine Huizinga-Kitagawa posted pictures of a large wildcat to the Vernon and Area Community Facebook page.

Members of the online community quickly identified the cat as a bobcat, not a lynx.

"It has black rings, which the lynx doesn't have," one member replied.

"They are definitely amazing to see! Last year we saw a bobcat and a cougar around our place just north of Lumby," said another.

According to a link posted on the discussion thread, some key identifying features to help tell the difference between bobcat and lynx include fur, tail, legs and feet.

• Fur: Lynx pelts are relatively bland and grayish. Bobcat pelts are reddish brown and have more distinct spots and streaks.
• Tail: Lynx tails appear much the same viewed top or bottom. The lynx tail tip is completely black all around. Bobcat tails show black bars with a white tip when viewed from above and show a lot of white underneath.
• Hind legs and paws: The hind legs of lynx are disproportionately longer, causing them to have a “stooped” appearance. Lynx paws are snowshoe-like and are at least twice the size of bobcat paws.