PLANO, Texas — North Texas' biggest feline was spotted for a third time on security camera footage, this time in Plano, wilderness officials confirmed.
The mountain lion was likely passing through and will not stay in the area for an extended amount of time, according to biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The sighting was captured on security camera Friday, Nov. 8 in Plano, according to a social media post from the city of Plano. The footage shows a large cat walking through an alley at night.
“The animal in the Plano security camera footage has a long, thick tail with a black tip and appears larger than a bobcat, based on its size relative to objects in the video," the department said in a press release. "Mountain lions are characterized by their long, prominent tails, which often reach the ground, while bobcats have short, "bobbed" tails. Bobcats also have a distinctive spotted coat, which was not seen in the video."
A mountain lion was also captured on camera in Lake Dallas Oct. 27 and Frisco Nov. 1, the post states. All three sightings were captured at night and no interactions with people or pets have been reported, the city said.
Mountain lion sightings are very rare, according to Rachel Richter, urban wildlife biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The department is monitoring its movement and behavior and Richter suspects it won’t stay in the area very long.
"In Texas, mountain lions are primarily found in the Trans-Pecos and parts of South Texas, however, isolated lions can move long distances and can show up far from their native ranges," according to the release. "Human conflicts with mountain lions are very uncommon and attacks are extremely rare. There are no records of a confirmed fatal attack on a person by a wild mountain lion in Texas."
More common is a bobcat, here's how to tell the difference between the two cats.
Here's what to know if you encounter a mountain lion, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. :
- Pick up all children off the ground immediately
- Do NOT approach the lion
- Stay calm. Talk calmly and move slowly
- Face the lion and remain in an upright position
- Do not turn your back on the lion. Back away slowly
- Do NOT run
- Do all you can to enlarge your image. Do NOT crouch down or try to hide
- If the lion is aggressive, throw rocks, sticks, or anything you can get your hands on.
- If the lion attacks, fight back. Fighting back can drive off lions.
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