A bobcat was spotted Tuesday morning in the Trails Edge neighborhood of Babcock Ranch.

Babcock Ranch resident Ashley Malone told Babcock News she saw the animal around 10:30 a.m. and believed it may have been a juvenile because of its smaller size.

“It looked like it may have been a juvenile because it was smaller than I would expect a fully grown bobcat to be,” Malone said.

Malone said her husband spotted the bobcat first and called her over to see it.

“We have such a respect for the wildlife, and it really felt like a privilege to be able to see it so closely,” Malone said. “We will keep an eye on our dogs when we let them outside, though, just to be safe.”

She said the bobcat was also seen playing with a rat during the encounter.

Bobcats are native to Florida and can sometimes be seen near residential areas that border natural habitat. Residents who encounter wildlife should keep their distance and avoid approaching or feeding the animal.

credit: Ashley Malone