When asked about predators, the image of a tiger, white shark or eagle immediately comes to mind. But still, none of these animals compare to the large predator we may have nearby: house cat.
New research has shown that cats living in the wild (including domestic and wild) have the most diverse diet of any predator on the planet; They have been proven to consume at least 2,084 different animal species.
Approximately 9% of its diet consists of known birds, 6% of all mammals, and 4% of reptiles.except some insects and amphibians.
“Our study sheds light on the consumption habits of one of the world’s most successful and widespread invasive predators. To our knowledge, this study is the most comprehensive global synthesis of cat diet to date, and arguably the largest for the species worldwide,” say the study’s authors.
Cats are indiscriminate predators and will eat any animal they can catch.
“Our findings show that Cats are indiscriminate predators and will eat essentially any animal they find.“Things they might catch at some point in their lives or find in the trash,” they add.
To reach these conclusions, an international team of scientists examined more than 500 previous studies detailing cat diets.
Their prey is not always as small as expected. It has been proven that cats eat emus, sea turtles, and even domestic cows (in the form of carrion). Scientists have observed a truly exceptional case of a single cat swallowing a kangaroo whole.
16 percent of the animals they eat are in danger
Of course, the results of this study are not good news for the protection of biodiversity. The authors state: 347 of the species consumed by cats (16.6% of the total species they catch) are in an unfavorable situation for their conservation.
The situation on the islands is especially critical. For example, studies conducted in New Zealand in the 1970s showed that wild domestic cats It causes the extinction of at least six species and more than 70 subspecies of endemic bird species.
“The high percentage of protected species in cat diets (16.65 percent) is concerning, as these cats responsible for 26 percent of global bird, mammal and reptile extinctions, and are considered significant threats to many existing threatened species,” the study authors add.
In addition to the diversity of their diet, the large number of specimens they catch is also remarkable. Another study conducted in 2022 predicts: Domestic cats kill between 160 and 270 million animals each year in the UK alone.. They are responsible for the deaths of nearly 650 million reptiles in Australia each year.
It’s no surprise that some regions are taking action against cats to protect native wildlife. In 2021, the eastern suburb of Melbourne, Australia, introduced a “24-hour cat curfew,” ordering pet owners to keep cats indoors at all times.
Reference work: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-42766-6#Abs1
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