What exactly is a cat? The king of the Internet is a cute, cuddly, squishy, and precious creature that conceals a dangerous predator within.
This dual nature creates several problems.
Am I exaggerating? While I’ve never hidden my dislike for cats, that’s not the main point here. A prime example is the story of how felines arrived on the American continent, leading to the extinction of more than 40 species of canines. In fact, the impact of cats on North American canine species was more significant than climate change or other ecological issues.
They’re formidable killing machines.
The world is a buffet. Although sweet treats are among the rare exceptions, cats eat almost everything. According to a study published in Nature Communications, free-ranging domestic cats, including feral ones, hunt and consume more than 2,000 species. This statistic highlights a crucial concern. As the cat population continues to grow, they pose a significant ecological threat.
“Cats eat a lot more than we thought,” Christopher Lepczyk, a professor of ecology at Auburn University and one of the study’s authors, said. Additionally, their diet is far more varied than experts previously realized.
In the study, nearly half of the species analyzed consumed birds, followed by reptiles and mammals. However, researchers discovered that cats could eat an astonishing range of prey. Their diet extends from insects, such as butterflies, moths, and dragonflies, to much larger animals like camels, cows, and sea turtles.
It’s likely that camels were scavenged and turtles were hatchlings, but it’s meaningful. Notably, nearly 350 of the species identified are endangered or at risk of extinction. A cat roaming around in a sensitive habitat poses a considerable threat.
So, what should we do about cats? While free-ranging domestic cats contribute to the problem, feral cats play a central role as well, and they’re challenging to manage.
Lepczyk points out that his research intentionally lacks “policy” recommendations. This is a sensitive issue, and it’s essential for animal science to determine the most effective intervention strategies.
What’s clear is that cats have become invasive species in many regions. If experts don’t take action, we risk losing a significant amount of biodiversity. In the end, biodiversity doesn’t get a second chance.
Image | Olana Somak__ua
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