A review on the impacts of feral cats (Felis silvestris catus) in the Canary Islands: implications for the conservation of its endangered fauna

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 829-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix Manuel Medina ◽  
Manuel Nogales
Keyword(s):  
Canary Islands ◽  
Felis Silvestris ◽  
Felis Silvestris Catus ◽  
Feral Cats

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in feral cats (Felis silvestris catus) in Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

2009 ◽  
Vol 165 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 323-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Millán ◽  
Oscar Cabezón ◽  
Marcela Pabón ◽  
J.P. Dubey ◽  
Sonia Almería
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Balearic Islands ◽  
Felis Silvestris ◽  
Felis Silvestris Catus ◽  
Feral Cats

Food habits of feral cats (Felis silvestris catus L.) in insular semiarid environments (Fuerteventura, Canary Islands)

2008 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix M. Medina ◽  
Marta López-Darias ◽  
Manuel Nogales ◽  
Rafael García
Keyword(s):  
Canary Islands ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Felis Silvestris Catus ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Semiarid Environments ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Trophic Overlap ◽  
Canarian Archipelago ◽  
Morisita's Index

In this study, we present the first data on diet and impacts of feral cats on a semiarid island (Fuerteventura, Canary Islands). A total of 614 prey was identified in the 209 scats analysed. Introduced mammals, especially rabbits and mice, were the most consumed vertebrate prey and constituted more than 90% of biomass. Barbary ground squirrels, Algerian hedgehogs, and rats were preyed upon less even though they were abundant on the island. Invertebrates, mainly Orthoptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Odonata, were the second most important prey items (in terms of actual numbers) but they contributed only minimally with respect to biomass (<1.1%). The presence of terrestrial molluscs in the diet was interesting because they are a rare prey in an insular context. Birds and reptiles occurred at a low frequency. A total of 677 seeds was counted, mainly belonging to Lycium intricatum (Solanaceae) and two unidentified plant species. Levin’s niche breadth was narrow due to the high consumption of mammals. Morisita’s index showed a similar trophic overlap in diet with respect to the other xeric habitats of the Canarian archipelago. Considering that more than 90% of biomass corresponded to introduced mammals, we conclude that feral cats are not having a large direct impact on the native prey species.

Methods of scent marking in the domestic cat

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 1093-1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary N. Feldman
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Scent Marking ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Tree Bark ◽  
Scent Mark ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Felis Silvestris ◽  
Felis Silvestris Catus ◽  
The Face ◽  
Visual Mark

Carnivores use various scent-marking methods. Semi-feral domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) were observed to use the same means as their wild counterparts. Adult males performed most urine spray marking. Cats scratched tree bark, producing a visual mark, and probably used trees both as markers and for claw sharpening. Most scratching trees were located along frequently used paths rather than along territorial boundaries or scattered randomly throughout a home range. Bark consistency affected the tree species that were scratched, with soft bark preferred. Although deposition of faeces and urine was recorded, there was no clear evidence for their use as territorial markers; cats primarily eliminated away from the core area of the home range. Most faeces were buried, although exposed deposits were also observed. Cats also rubbed against objects, probably using glandular secretions from the face and tail areas to scent mark. Males rubbed objects more than females, and males scent marked more. Individual males may use different means of scent marking. Scent marking in this study supports the idea that cats do not defend territories, instead patrolling and reinforcing marks throughout a looser home range. The suggestion has been made that different forms of marking may serve separate signalling functions.

scholarly journals Visual classification of feral cat Felis silvestris catus vocalizations

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Owens ◽  
Mariana Olsen ◽  
Amy Fontaine ◽  
Christopher Kloth ◽  
Arik Kershenbaum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Felis Silvestris ◽  
Felis Silvestris Catus ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Visual Classification
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