Barratt, D. G. (1997). Predation by house cats, Felis catus (L.), in Canberra, Australia. I. Prey composition and preference. Wildlife Research, 24(3), 263-277.
This paper attempts to apply theory from more than 100 years of scientific experience and experimentation in predator-prey ecology and introduced species ecology to predict the likely effects of predation by domestic cats (Felis catus) on prey populations and community structure. Those aspects of the predatory behaviour of domestic cats which are of most importance in predicting their impact on prey populations: I) the degree of prey selectivity or 'dietary preference'; 2) the exhibition of switching behaviour; 3) changes in predatory activity in response to changes in prey density; and 4) the extent to which high and constant densities of the predator are ameliorated by reduced prey consumption rates as a result of dietary supplement.
In suburban environments, the influence of predation by domestic cats on prey abundance and community structure probably increases, relative to the influence of habitat change, with increasing suburb age, particularly in the absence of physical disturbances such as fire. However, it may never be as important as habitat availability and indeed may never be significant at all. Removal of the predator may allow some animal species to increase in abundance but others may decline. The details of these changes are very difficult to predict. Similarly, following predator removal, total species diversity is as likely to decline due to increased inter-specific competition, as it is to increase due to the invasion of species previously excluded by predation.
In remnant habitat, the impact of predation by domestic cats is probably less likely to be important in determining the relative abundance of the more common species than in suburban environments, but more likely to contribute to local extinctions of rare species. As in suburban environments, predation on introduced species in remnant habitat may reduce predation on native species. However, the ability of domestic cats to control introduced species which prey on, or compete with, native species will be difficult to demonstrate. In light of this uncertainty, any attempt to prevent domestic cats hunting in remnant habitat patches should be integrated with a program to eliminate or control populations of other introduced species, such as black rats and rabbits, which are preyed upon by domestic cats and are known to prey on or compete with native species
Barratt, D. G. (1998). Predation by house cats, Felis catus (L.), in Canberra, Australia. II. Factors affecting the amount of prey caught and estimates of the impact on wildlife. Wildlife Research, 25(5), 475-487.
Information on the amount of vertebrate prey caught by house cats in Canberra was collected by recording prey deposited at cat owners’ residences over 12 months. The amount of prey taken was not significantly influenced by cat gender, age when neutered, or cat breed. Nor did belling or the number of meals provided per day have a significant influence on the amount of prey caught. The age of the cat and the proportion of nights spent outside explained approximately 11% of the variation in the amount of prey caught by individual cats. In all, 43% of variation in predation on introduced species (predominantly rodents) was explained by distance from potential prey source areas (i.e. rural/grassland habitat) and cat density. The mean number of prey reported per cat over 12 months (10.2) was significantly lower than mean predation per cat per year based on estimates made by cat owners before the prey survey began (23.3). Counts of the amount of prey caught by house cats were highly positively skewed. In all, 70% of cats were observed to catch less than 10 prey over 12 months, but for 6% of cats, more than 50 prey were recorded. Estimates of predation by house cats, particularly extrapolated estimates, should be treated with caution. The total number of prey caught by house cats in Canberra estimated using the sample median was approximately half the estimate based on the sample mean. Predation estimates alone do not prove that prey populations are detrimentally affected, especially in highly disturbed and modified environments such as suburbs. Impacts on native fauna are likely to be most significant in undisturbed habitat adjacent to new residential developments.
Read a short review about belling effectiveness
This paper attempts to apply theory from more than 100 years of scientific experience and experimentation in predator-prey ecology and introduced species ecology to predict the likely effects of predation by domestic cats (Felis catus) on prey populations and community structure. Those aspects of the predatory behaviour of domestic cats which are of most importance in predicting their impact on prey populations: I) the degree of prey selectivity or 'dietary preference'; 2) the exhibition of switching behaviour; 3) changes in predatory activity in response to changes in prey density; and 4) the extent to which high and constant densities of the predator are ameliorated by reduced prey consumption rates as a result of dietary supplement.
In suburban environments, the influence of predation by domestic cats on prey abundance and community structure probably increases, relative to the influence of habitat change, with increasing suburb age, particularly in the absence of physical disturbances such as fire. However, it may never be as important as habitat availability and indeed may never be significant at all. Removal of the predator may allow some animal species to increase in abundance but others may decline. The details of these changes are very difficult to predict. Similarly, following predator removal, total species diversity is as likely to decline due to increased inter-specific competition, as it is to increase due to the invasion of species previously excluded by predation.
In remnant habitat, the impact of predation by domestic cats is probably less likely to be important in determining the relative abundance of the more common species than in suburban environments, but more likely to contribute to local extinctions of rare species. As in suburban environments, predation on introduced species in remnant habitat may reduce predation on native species. However, the ability of domestic cats to control introduced species which prey on, or compete with, native species will be difficult to demonstrate. In light of this uncertainty, any attempt to prevent domestic cats hunting in remnant habitat patches should be integrated with a program to eliminate or control populations of other introduced species, such as black rats and rabbits, which are preyed upon by domestic cats and are known to prey on or compete with native species
Barratt, D. G. (1998). Predation by house cats, Felis catus (L.), in Canberra, Australia. II. Factors affecting the amount of prey caught and estimates of the impact on wildlife. Wildlife Research, 25(5), 475-487.
Information on the amount of vertebrate prey caught by house cats in Canberra was collected by recording prey deposited at cat owners’ residences over 12 months. The amount of prey taken was not significantly influenced by cat gender, age when neutered, or cat breed. Nor did belling or the number of meals provided per day have a significant influence on the amount of prey caught. The age of the cat and the proportion of nights spent outside explained approximately 11% of the variation in the amount of prey caught by individual cats. In all, 43% of variation in predation on introduced species (predominantly rodents) was explained by distance from potential prey source areas (i.e. rural/grassland habitat) and cat density. The mean number of prey reported per cat over 12 months (10.2) was significantly lower than mean predation per cat per year based on estimates made by cat owners before the prey survey began (23.3). Counts of the amount of prey caught by house cats were highly positively skewed. In all, 70% of cats were observed to catch less than 10 prey over 12 months, but for 6% of cats, more than 50 prey were recorded. Estimates of predation by house cats, particularly extrapolated estimates, should be treated with caution. The total number of prey caught by house cats in Canberra estimated using the sample median was approximately half the estimate based on the sample mean. Predation estimates alone do not prove that prey populations are detrimentally affected, especially in highly disturbed and modified environments such as suburbs. Impacts on native fauna are likely to be most significant in undisturbed habitat adjacent to new residential developments.
Read a short review about belling effectiveness
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