BIG CATS
in Ontario
Over the years we have had many reports of sightings of Big Cats in Ontario, often animals which remain unidentified.
Ontario is known to have populations of big cats, Lynx and Bobcat, and the occasional Cougar being sighted, but none of these animals should be seen in the wild in Southern Ontario.
Having said that, we have had numerous reports from across the province, of sightings of big cats.
Whether these sightings are of big cats which have spread into this area, or they are escapees from private zoo, is unknown, but there are too many sightings reported for them all to be hallucinations!
THE BOBCAT
(Lynx rufus)
The Bobcat is the smallest of the three Canadian big cats, and is normally found farther north in Ontario, not particularly in Southern Ontario, however, that doesn't mean that it is never sighted around here.
It is an efficient predator and prefers wooded areas where its primary food is rabbits and hares, but it will also eat geese and rodents.
This particular big cat is 18 - 48 inches long with a weight of about 21 pounds for an average male, but they can grow larger than this.
THE LYNX
(Lynx Canadensis)
Another of the Big Cats in Ontario is the Canadian Lynx which lives mainly in northern woodlands where its main diet is the snowshoe hare, and has a weight of 12 - 35 pounds, and length of 30 - 42 inches. Males are usually larger than females.
Lynx, like other hunters in the forest, play an vital role. They are a medium sized carnivore and they target smaller prey species that reproduce quickly.
This big cat requires a mixed habitat that includes young forests with thick vegetation for hunting small prey, and older forested areas with a full canopy and good cover for building their dens.
THE COUGAR
(Puma concolor)
The Cougar, also known as the Mountain Lion or Puma in the USA, should not be in Ontario at all, as they are found mainly further to the south and west of Ontario, mainly west of the Rocky Mountains, but there have been sightings in Southern Ontario, which are probably escaped animals.
A full grown male Cougar can measure almost 8 ft from nose to tail and weighs in at an average of 125 lbs
We always love hearing from our readers, so if you have seen one of the Big Cats in Southern Ontario, please write to us and let us know all the details!
Please tell us where and when you sighted the animal, what it was doing when you observed it, what time of day this was, and any other additional information that you think our readers will find interesting.
LINKS TO INFORMATION ABOUT THE BIG CATS IN ONTARIO
Information about the Canadian Lynx, one of the big cats in Ontario, it's life-cycle and habits
Information about the Bobcat found in Canada and the USA
There are big cats in the Muskoka area - official sighting of a Cougar in Ontario
Have you spotted a Big Cat in Ontario?
Have you seen a big cat? Paw prints? We'd love to hear about it, and see a picture if you have one!
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Lynx attacked my dog 
A Big Cat bit my dog last night, December 28th 2022.
It was a Lynx on Heathside Crescent, Pickering.
If you live in that area please be cautious …
Big Footprints spotted in Wainfleet
I was going out to check on my pumpkin patch when I came across these scary prints.
Needless to say my pup won't be allowed out unattended any more! …
Bobcat or Lynx Sightings
We have received several possible Bobcat or Lynx sightings, check them out below ...
Mark from Gatineau PQ wrote ... I saw what was probably a Bobcat …
Possible Cougar sightings
Taking my dog outside for a midnight pee and my motion light was on at the side of my house, as I turn the corner I see a shadow of this big cat and as …
Prints in Tamworth Ontario
Does anyone know what these prints could be from?
They were found in our backyard near Tamworth, Ontario.
We set up a trail-cam but haven't seen …
Potential Cougar Sighting on 406 in Fonthill
We had just passed under the highway 20 overpass on the 406 this evening around 10 pm when I was startled by an animal standing in the left lane of the …
Big Cat in the Kawarthas
Its interesting to read recent comments as a lot online is quite old and my experience was this past summer.
In 2015 I found a massive cat print in mid-May …
Bobcat sighting in Kitchener
I caught a glimpse of a very large cat, tan to light brown in colour, estimated to be about 3 feet long.
The location was a new building lot in …
Identification please!
We’ve had a couple sightings of a “larger than normal cat” on our property in West grey, Ontario.
I finally caught it on a trail camera.
Any possible …
Old Cougar sighting report
My name is Josh, I'm 23 years of age, often hiker.
Two years ago I witnessed a quick sighting of what appeared to be a younger adult Cougar here …
Bobcat, Lynx or Cougar?
These tracks were spotted in our woods in Flamborough, Ontario, just north of Hamilton on December 27, 2016.
Does anyone recognize these prints?
…
Unknown cat
Was out hunting rabbits north of Kingston and saw some prints.
Not sure what they are though, if anyone knows please comment below.
…
Big cat - could be Cougar?
This sighting was just outside Hamilton, Ontario, at 2 am close to Nebo Road on Airport Rd.
The animal ran in front of my car and into the brush. …
Big Black Cat
I was biking along bike path going west just before Orleans Boulevard.
I went to my right towards river on a gravel road, just before a wooden …
Possible Lynx Sighting in Niagara Falls
While driving into Niagara Falls down Montrose Road about a kilometer away from Niagara Square shopping mall, I saw what looked to me to be a very large …
Medium sized cat seen on the Don Valley Recreational Trail
I was on my daily bike ride along the beautiful Lower Don Valley Recreational Trail and was just cruising along slowly as I always do so I can observe …
Lynx
I was at school in St Catharines, and in our field I saw a very large cat.
It was light brown/beige and very big.
It was definitely not a house …
Cougar
I was stopped on a back side road in Cold Water, Ontario, which is just north of Orillia. I was looking for a house and couldn't find it.
I was waiting …
Brownish-Grey Cougar-like Cat
I was driving northbound on Woodward Avenue in Hamilton, turning onto the Burlington Street ramp and when I was halfway on the ramp I looked to my right …
Cougar in Wheatley
My husband was looking out our back sliding doors one morning in Wheatley, Ontario, and said to me "I think I've just seen a panther".
I thought …
Cougar
I went fishing at Burns Conservation Area north of Burlington (south of Moffat) about 20 years ago very early one morning (I got there while it was still …
Large White cat like creature
We are fortunate to live in an area with plenty of wild life (near St Thomas). I have twice watched a large white cat-like animal, move along a tree line. …
Saw a Lynx in my backyard in the winter
I was walking my dog in my back yard, and I was at the side of my house walking toward the back, and I saw a family of Lynx.
I ran inside to get my …
Lynx or something close spotted in St. Catharines
My house is on the Twelve Mile Creek, in St Catharines, Ontario, and one day I was on a little walk in the back, as I usually do, when I saw a giant cat, …
Cougar in Toronto?
I am re-publishing this report from Mash, who sent it to us back in 2010.
Yesterday I saw an animal that looked much like a Mountain Lion. …
Lynx in Winter
My family owns a cottage in the Lake of Bays area. A few years ago, in the late 1990's, I was outside walking on the frozen bay, watching to see …
Cougar Before Sunrise 
Colchester South Township, East Harrow, Essex, Ontario.
I was on a bike ride early one July morning, I came across what appeared to be a short, …
Big Black Cat Sighting Not rated yet
Today is July 23 2023
I just saw a huge black cat driving home. Its was on the corner of Chipmunk and Fleetwood road, in Janetville, Ontario. The sighting …
Huge Big Cat Not rated yet
My son and I have seen a huge cat.
We used to camp on Otter Lake campground. One weekend back in about 2007 on our way there we saw one.
I was …
Possible Big Cat Sightings Not rated yet
Margaret W from Delaware wrote ... I spotted a Big Cat about 30 mins ago while walking my dog in the back garden, which backs onto a cornfield at the intersection …
Possible Bobcats or Lynx Not rated yet
Erika said ... I live on Mountsberg Rd. Between Hwy 6 & Center. Saw something about 8 weeks ago but was trying to figure it out on my own. Approx. 11 p.m. …
Possible Big Cat Sightings Not rated yet
Possible Big Cat Sightings
LeeAnne E from Twin Lakes, Hudson township wrote ... We were driving down our cottage road today, and saw something standing …
Big Black Cat Sightings Not rated yet
Big Black Cat sightings across Ontario
Jim Robinson said ... While fishing on Eagle Lake in Ontario this past July, my son and I watched two, what we …
Lots of Big Cat Sightings Not rated yet
Paul Sprague wrote ... in April 2021 I was laying awake at 2:00 am in my RV at the Providence Bay camp ground on the south shore of Manitoulin Island …
Mystery Animal Print Not rated yet
Lately I've been doing some photography and prints because I've been noticing a lot of different animal prints, ones that I'm not really recognizing and …
Big Cat Foot Print Not rated yet
We saw this in our property today.
I'm not sure who could have made a print this big.
Tracks Not rated yet
I took pictures of these tracks that I thought were alarmingly large.
We found them on our property in Ailsa Craig, Ontario.
Our property …
Possible Bobcat in Marmora Not rated yet
Saw this large cat in the property behind my house in the village of Marmora, Ontario.
It was larger than a dog.
I think it's a Bobcat.
Cougar or Bobcat Sighting Not rated yet
We saw a Cougar or Bobcat just East of Westney.
Here is a picture of it.
Thank you for sending this picture of what you sighted - it looks huge …
Big Cat sighting outside Killbear Provincial Park Not rated yet
About 10 kilometers away from Killbear Provincial Park heading to the 400 south, I saw a beige animal crossing the road.
At first I thought it was …
Niagara-On-The-Lake Sighting Not rated yet
July 17th, 2021 approx. 11:30 pm I was driving home and spotted a massive cat gliding across highway 55 (Niagara Stone Road) between two wooded areas next …
Lynx spotted near Kanata Not rated yet
My neighbour took this picture outside our cottage near Kanata, Ontario.
I didn't think Lynx would ever be this far south.
Large Black Cat Sighting Not rated yet
When walking my small dog on a Sunday afternoon last summer,at 12:45 pm, I saw this black large cat beside the path.
It was sitting, looking out at …
Bobcat scat in Stoney Creek, Ontario Not rated yet
I found bobcat scat in our garden planter - couldn’t figure out what it was but a neighbour said it had been reported that one was in the area. …
Are these Cougar sightings? Not rated yet
Patricia M from Mayersburg wrote ... my elderly terrier woke me at about 1:00 am last night needing to go outside. Thank God I leashed him and was there …
Can you name this animal? Not rated yet
Hello! My family and I were walking in our treed area of our property, and found this print in the snow.
We tried to follow it, but lost it somehow. …
Possible Ontario Lynx, Bobcat and Cougar sightings Not rated yet
Sarah from Oshawa was travelling home around 1 am October 31 2020 and said ... a lynx ran in front of my car on Stevenson Road and ran very fast down the …
Possible Bobcat sightings Not rated yet
ATVing through unused land around farms near Caledonia (around Hamilton) and looked over a stream a couple hundred yards into the field after coming over …
Prints from an Unknown Animal Not rated yet
My lawn has been free of footprints or prints from birds cats dogs ever since last snowfall, but I check everyday to make sure no one has entered my yard. …
Bobcat walking away from Trail Cam Not rated yet
Not a perfect shot, but I'm going with a Bobcat.
This was taken by a trailcam I have set up on my land about 30 minutes north of Napanee or Kingston, …
Lynx sighting Not rated yet
March 15, 3:00-ish pm. Odessa, Ontario.
Out my back window on the other side of the river, about 400' away.
Thank you for sending us your great …
Unknown Animal Not rated yet
I keep seeing these tracks in my yard and I'm not sure what they are from.
They are fairly large, the animal steps in its own tracks.
This is …
Bobcat Trail Cam pictures Not rated yet
My trail camera has taken a picture of a Bob Cat I think anyways.
Will upload the picture, night time so hard to tell.
I live south of 401 east …
Big Cats seen near London Not rated yet
Bibi from Belmont reported ... I had just brought our dogs in from a run in the side field, when I decided to go out and watch the sunset. Just before …
Possible Mountain Lion Not rated yet
Its interesting to read recent comments as a lot online is quite old and my experience was last week.
In 2015 I found a massive cat print in mid-May …
Mystery Cats Not rated yet
On Easter Sunday we had left Haliburton village about 7:30 pm. Traveling down highway 21, about 7-10 minutes out of the town, We encountered a big cat …
Unknown Tracks Not rated yet
Hi, my family went away for a few weeks, and returned to find these tracks in our backyard.
We back onto a ravine, so we are unsure of the possibilities …
Bobcat in Tiny township Not rated yet
Picture from deer cam, November 2017.
Thanks for your picture, it sure looks like a Bobcat!
Cougars Not rated yet
Walking along Glasgow Road, beside the Humber River, in Bolton, I rounded a bend in the road and a cougar ran up the embankment from the river …
Lynx spotted Not rated yet
Lorraine wrote to report ... on October 25th at approximately 3:30 p.m. we spotted a Lynx when it crossed the highway in front of us. We were heading …
Bobcats, Cougars and Mystery Cats Not rated yet
James Clements from Nipissing, Ontario, wrote ... no big story, but I just saw a Bobcat cross our driveway and wanted to report it for your stats. No …
Bells Corners Sighting Not rated yet
I was cycling on the trail between Hanel and the 417 around 6:30 this morning when, what I initially took to be a Coyote because I hear them often enough, …
I saw a Lynx near McMaster University Not rated yet
I was walking in the trail and saw one this week.
I have a picture I took of its footprint.
Is this an ordinary sighting?
Thank …
Two Large Cats spotted in Lafontaine, Ontario Not rated yet
Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017 9:18am. My boyfriend and I were driving to my parent's house from our house, which is only about 15 minutes apart.
We …
Lynx? Not rated yet
These were seen at Frank Kenny Drive, Navan area, Ontario.
Found Tracks in the snow but not sure if they are a big cat print.
Paw width …
Bobcat sighting near Norwood Ontario Not rated yet
Just had a Bobcat walk across the front of the house and I watched it go across the driveway into the bush.
At first I thought it was a Lynx …
Huron County south western Ontario Not rated yet
Seen a full grown Cougar - main hwy 8 towards Goderich, in spring 2016.
I saw it jump from from side of middle of road into ditch in one leap. …
Cat-like creature near Port Bruce Not rated yet
Regarding the large cat-like creature - not just me but my sister, husband, and aunt, have all seen a similar feline, small cougar-like creature in the …
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