Mysterious creature spotted in Florida intrigues social media users. But what is it?
A mysterious critter roamed a neighborhood in Tampa, Florida — sparking intrigue on social media.
The dog-like creature had pointy ears and sagging skin when it was spotted on March 28, prompting Twitter users to speculate whether it was a sickly dog or a bear with hair loss.
A photo of the animal — which social media user Blake Evans told McClatchy News was taken near Linebaugh and Waters avenues in Tampa — garnered thousands of reactions ranging from educated guesses to pop culture comparisons.
But what kind of animal was it?
The picture shows a coyote with a condition called mange, news outlets reported.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told WFLA the coyote had an “advanced case” of the disease, caused when mites get under the skin. The animal then scratches, loses hair and can become vulnerable to other infections.
Coyotes weigh up to 30 pounds and have been found in “urban, suburban, and rural areas” across Florida. While the animals often aren’t a risk to people, pet owners should keep their dogs on leashes to help avoid contact, the commission said on its website.
“Unless it has rabies, it’s not gonna attack you,” Ron Magill, a spokesperson for Zoo Miami, told the Miami New Times. “The key thing when you see one is to not turn and run, but to make yourself look as large as possible and it’ll run away.”
The wildlife commission didn’t immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for information on April 1.
This story was originally published April 1, 2022 at 9:13 AM with the headline "Mysterious creature spotted in Florida intrigues social media users. But what is it?."
