Walnut Creek leopard reveals its spots

[TexasTowelie]

Courtesy of Nancy Myerhofer
Walnut Creek’s “leopard” is really just a beautiful house cat roaming the neighborhood.

A report of a possible leopard prowling the streets of a Walnut Creek neighborhood had some people on edge. Even though it was highly unlikely the cat was a leopard, people were concerned and puzzled about what it might be.

The cat, seen near the quiet neighborhood Arbolado Park, was described as having a fawn colored coat with dark spots. It also had a long tail and seemed too large for a house cat, leading to speculation it was a leopard cub.

After I reported the sighting in my column and offered the strong possibility that it was one of a few house cats that have leopard markings, other readers suggested it was a bobcat known to frequent the neighborhood or a mountain lion cub.

It was all a lot of speculation on everyone’s part, mine included, until reader Nancy Myerhofer sent in some photographic evidence.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/03/30/walnut-creek-leopard-reveals-its-spots/


The “leopard” unmasked. Courtesy of Nancy Myerhofer

[Warpy]

1. Looks a little like a Savannah

which would explain the markings and the slightly undersized head.

They need outdoor exercise, either in an exercise wheel or on a leash.