Well perhaps. On the other hand, Bobcats have proportionately much larger ears - so we're at an impasse.
But you may be on the right track with the panther idea. Oddly enough, this image bears a striking resemblance to this-
http://www.divynedizyne.com/pantheredit.html
-but heavily photoshopped. But scrutinizing this very closely (after a couple of hard ciders), I am compelled to think this is the actual picture that was the base for the image that avatar was based on. Whew, what a mouthful! And a mindful. That word is so awesome as a noun. <3