Annual variation in prey composition of domestic cats in rural and urban environment

Abstract

The threat that domestic cats pose to wildlife has gained increased recognition by researchers and conservationists, and in this study, we investigated the seasonal variability and the effects of environment type (rural vs. urban) on the prey composition of free-ranging house cats in Poland. We analysed the variability in 307 monthly prey samples of different prey items killed by cats and brought to their owners (i.e., prey brought home by cats living in one home in one month) between 2002 and 2007 at 26 rural and urban sites. The variability in prey composition over time was analysed using additive models and canonical correspondence analysis. In total, we recorded 1348 prey items. Rodents were the most common prey in both environments, but shrews and reptiles were killed by cats more often in the rural environment while birds (mainly sparrows and pigeons) were more common in the urban environment. Additionally, prey composition changed seasonally. The pooled number of vertebrates killed by cats was largest in September and lowest in January, and rodents were killed most often in September, shrews and birds in June, and reptiles in April. The seasonal variation in the prey composition of cats was relatively high in the rural environment and more stable in the urban environment. Prey composition seemed to follow temporal and spatial variations in prey availability, thus confirming a facultative feeding strategy in free-ranging house cats.

Trophic patterns and home‐range size of two generalist urban carnivores: a review

“…() and Krauze‐Gryz et al . () in human‐altered habitats. In addition, the use of anthropogenic refuse by the urban populations of foxes and cats has been highlighted by other authors (i.e.…”

“…9000 years ago; Driscoll et al ., ), becoming ubiquitous residents of human settlements. The habitat use (Gehring & Swihart, ; Saito & Koike, ) and foraging behavior (Mirmovitch, ; Contesse et al ., ) of these two species allow them to establish urban populations (Bateman & Fleming, ), as they make use of a wide range of wild and anthropogenic resources through fragmented urban landscapes (Meckstroth, Miles & Chandra, ; Krauze‐Gryz, Żmihorski & Gryz, ).…”

“…The diet of generalist predators such as foxes and cats depends on prey abundance that may vary temporally and spatially (Paltridge, 2002;Krauze-Gryz et al, 2017). Birds and small rodents are usually found in fox and cat diets within urban and suburban habitats (Meckstroth et al, 2007;Krauze-Gryz et al, 2017).…”

“…The diet of generalist predators such as foxes and cats depends on prey abundance that may vary temporally and spatially (Paltridge, 2002;Krauze-Gryz et al, 2017). Birds and small rodents are usually found in fox and cat diets within urban and suburban habitats (Meckstroth et al, 2007;Krauze-Gryz et al, 2017). The diet of urban or suburban foxes and cats is also characterized by the use of anthropogenic refuse as a food resource (Mirmovitch, 1995;Contesse et al, 2004).…”

“…However, diet analyses may be affected by the method used to infer prey composition and abundance (e.g. carried home vs. eaten in situ; Krauze-Gryz et al, 2017).…”