humanespot.org humanespot.org humanespot.org
 
 
Share/Print |

Predation of Wildlife by Domestic Cats Felis Catus in Great Britain

 
Submitted on Jul 19, 2011 (Original item from 1997) | | | | | | |
by The Mammal Society, University of Bristol, and The Game Conservancy Trust
More Information...

Short Description:
This survey of households with cats investigates the prevalence of cats catching prey animals. The study presents findings about the prevalence of cats bringing prey animals home, what animals are caught, and when it is most likely to occur.

Abstract:
From Article Abstract:
  • "A total of 14,370 prey items were brought home by 986 cats living in 618 households. Mammals made up 69% of the items, birds 24%, amphibians 4%, reptiles 1%, fish <1%, invertebrates 1% and unidentified items 1%. A minimum of 44 species of wild bird, 20 species of wild mammal, four species of reptile and three species of amphibian were recorded."
  • "The number of bird species brought home was greater in households providing bird food. The number of birds and herpetofauna brought home per cat was negatively related to the age and condition of the cat. The number of mammals brought home per cat was significantly lower when cats were equipped with bells and when they were kept indoors at night. The number of herpetofauna brought home was significantly greater when cats were kept in at night."
  • "A British population of approximately 9 million cats was estimated to have brought home in the order of 92 (85–100) million prey items in the period of this survey, including 57 (52–63) million mammals, 27 (25–29) million birds and 5 (4–6) million reptiles and amphibians."
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2907.2003....

Spot Check Number: 1754
Sponsor: The Mammal Society, University of Bristol, and The Game Conservancy Trust
Researcher/Author: Micheal Woods, Robbie A. McDonald, Stephen Harris
Animal Type: Cats
Record Type: Academic Paper, Data and Statistics, Journal Article, Research Study
Research Method: Experimental/Modeling/Applications, Print Survey
Geographic Region: International
Number of Participants: 696
Population Descriptors: cats, Britain
Year Conducted: 1997
File Attachments: You must be logged in to access attachments (see login and registration links above)
»

Related items on HumaneSpot.org:

Not really a good study

Submitted by michayr on Wed, 2011-07-20 09:45.

Although this study is frequently cited, it's not actually that good when trying to get an idea of the true level of predation going on. The statistical methods used tends to increase the amount of predation shown, when a more rigourous method would take into account the many cats that bring back no prey during the course of the study. Peter Wolf has written a good article on this common mistake that shows up in many predation studies:
http://www.voxfelina.com/2010/06/the-work-speaks-part-4-mean-spirited/

If researchers used the median amount of prey caught by cats instead of the mean (the mean being much more sensitive to outliers- overstating the effect of the one accomplished hunter), the results would be more accurate.

»

Thank you for your comment

Submitted by Carol L. Glasser on Sat, 2011-07-23 00:58.
Thank you for your comment and sharing this potential issue with other users. It is important to look at methodology of studies when evaluating their findings. Regarding what we publish on the research database: HRC works to publish a variety of research resources. We do not make judgements on methodological or theoretical foundations of research unless we feel it is irreparably flawed. As such, we rarely reject peer reviewed research. The reason for this is so that advocates can have access to and draw from all the animal protection research that is available.
»

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.


PLEASE SUPPORT NONPROFIT RESEARCH FOR ANIMALS

Did you find this research helpful in your work for animals? If so, please consider a donation to the Humane Research Council to help us with the costs of maintaining, expanding, and improving HumaneSpot.org.