Rockport Texas - The History, Legends & Lore 1st Printing | Page 76

LEGEND: BLACK PANTHER We have reports of Posted Bounties for Black Panthers that were allegedly seen nailed or stapled onto posts at the Sea Gun Marina in the middle to late 1970’s. We have no way of proving it, unless someone happens to come forward with an old Bounty Notice. The Posted $200 notice on the left was made up - it’s a fake. LORE: There is a South Texas Cat, though it is seldom spoken of, called the Jaguarundis (sp. Felis yagouaroundi) that could certainly be mistaken for a Black Panther. It grows as tall as 2 feet and can weigh up to 22 lbs. The only problem is, it’s normally found only in the most extreme southern region of Texas, but it is most definitely a South Texas native, and it’s an endangered species. The Elusive Jaguarundis. ROCKPORT SQUIRREL (sp. Sciurus niger) We happen to have the largest Squirrels in North America in our local neighborhoods: the Fox Squirrel or Eastern Fox Squirrel (and sometimes called Bryant’s Fox Squirrel). To us, they’re just a bunch of Rockport Squirrels, and they can be rather charming - loved by some folks more than others, and it isn’t uncommon for our local residents to feed the Squirrels. Of course, once you feed them, they keep coming back, and if you’re not careful, you might be seen walking around with a Squirrel on your head. 75 LORE: The Fox Squirrel is a nonterritorial Squirrel, giving them the freedom they need to mooch off of just about anybody.