Report 10855: Night time sighting by motorist near Fanning Springs

WHEN I WAS LIVING IN PERRY, FLORIDA IN 1998, I WAS DRIVING FROM PERRY ON ROUTE 19 & 98 TO FANNING SPRINGS. THEN I DROVE ONTO ROUTE 26 HEADING TO GAINESVILLE. AS I WENT AROUND  A BEND IN THE ROAD, MY HEADLIGHTS HIT UPON THIS LARGE, BLACK OBJECT AND IT SEEMED TO BE STARTLED BY THE LIGHTS. AS I WAS COMING CLOSER TO THE OBJECT, I COULD SEE IT WAS STANDING ON THE EDGE OF THE ROAD AND IT HAD HUNKERED DOWN SO I COULD NOT SEE ITS HEAD BUT IT WAS STANDING UP RIGHT. NOW AS I GOT CLOSER TO THE OBJECT, I COULD SEE GLISTENING, WET , BLACK FUR. I SLOWED DOWN AND IT TURNED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISAPPEARED INTO A SWAMPY AREA.