If you think you've spotted a mountain lion in Indiana, well, you're probably wrong.

"There's a lot of misidentification going on," Indiana Department of Natural Resources Mammalogist Brad Westrich said. "Mountain lions are very elusive."

Police in the northwestern Indiana town of Fowler on Wednesday warned residents about a report of a mountain lion seen in the area.

"Until further notice," the Fowler Police Department said on Facebook, "please use extreme caution and do not leave children or small animals unattended outdoors."

Mountain lions are rare in Indiana, Westrich said. There's been a growing bobcat population in recent years, Westrich said, but those animals typically live in southern Indiana.

Bobcat sightings are still uncommon, but they are roaming around, prowling for food and sometimes get close to people.

"What people are mostly seeing are glimpses of bobcats," Westrich said. "It's a very large cat."

But most often, he said, what people are really seeing is house cats off in the distance, obscured by plants or bushes.

"People misidentify house cats as mountain lions," Westrich said. "They do this in situations where the surrounding vegetation might make it look bigger than it actually is."

Mountain lions are about 7.5 feet long and weigh about 120 pounds, according to the DNR. The tail alone is about 2.5 feet long.

Bobcats are a little over 3 feet long and about 20 pounds, which is about twice the size of a typical house cat.

Fowler police on Thursday said there have been no additional mountain lion sightings in the area.

If you think you've seen a mountain lion or bobcat, report it to the DNR via an online form at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/8497.htm.

Residents can upload pictures of the animals, tracks or scat to the website. To give the DNR experts a sense of size, Westrich said to place a dollar bill, pen, ruler or some other common object (don't use a hand or shoe) near the footprints or scat when you take the photo.

Mountain lions and bobcats are reclusive and tend to avoid humans. If you happen to encounter one in the wild, the DNR on its website suggests:

Do not approach a mountain lion. Give it a way to escape.

Do not run from a mountain lion. Stand and face the animal. Make eye contact.

Do not crouch or bend over. Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms and open your jacket or shirt. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice.

Hold children and pets near you.

Fight back if attacked using big sticks, stones or any other available items.

Contact IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at 317-444-2701 or vic.ryckaert@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @VicRyc.