The santer is a mysterious animal of the cat family reported from North Carolina in days gone by. Actually, as far as I can see, the same term may have been applied to six different animals, not necessarily of the same species, that could not be identified.
(1) A strange animal was spotted in Statesville in 1890. This was given the name "santer" by newspaper editor D.P. Caldwell. He may have made it up. The unidentified animal moved around somewhat, getting as far as Rowan County. There is some evidence that it was an escapee, as at least one report mentions a chain around its neck. Its ultimate fate is unknown.
(2) A creature with shaggy hair and a thick body was seen in Rowan County in 1899. It had a tendency to kill dogs. Its tracks indicated it had short legs and was heavy.
(3) In 1897 one Charles Smoot used the name to denote some striped animal.
(4) A creature dark in color which had a lengthy shape and a long tail also had the name applied to it. This killed quite a number of domestic animals in Alamance County in 1899.
(5) A creature with feline characteristics observed in 1909 in Wilmington. Obadiah Wilkins killed an unidentified animal which he averred was this santer, but this is doubtful.
(6) A dog-killing animal of Chatham County was called a santer. It was gray wiyj a heavy body. This creature was seen in 1916.
Were these all of one species or different animals? Who can tell?
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