What If all Cats suddenley Died???
Discussion
Interesting article.
"Perhaps you're a cat lover. Perhaps you abhor the lazy critters. Either way, when you see a cat lounging on an armchair, napping all day but for the occasional stretch or window gaze, "useless" is by no means the last word that comes to mind. Cats, beloved or otherwise, don't radiate the message that they're indispensable, hard-working members of the household, or the world.
But, in fact, they're just playing it cool (as usual). Experts say that if all the world's cats suddenly died, things would quickly go to hell in a handbasket.
Cats, both pets and strays, may fool us into thinking that they depend on our food and trash for survival, but according to Alan Beck, professor of veterinary medicine and director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University, they're expert predators with adaptablehunting behaviors. "They are a significant predator of small animals, and can survive as almost solitary animals when the prey is scarce, while thriving in high density when the prey is abundant," Beck told Life's Little Mysteries, a sister site to LiveScience.
And that's just why we'd miss them. By killing mice and rats in barns and grain storage areas, cats are vital for keeping those pests in check. In India, Beck said, cats are believed to play a significant role in lessening the amount of grain loss caused by consumption or contamination by rodents. In other words, it may be true that humans feed cats, but without cats, humans would have less food in the first place. [Why Do Cats Bury Their Poop?]
PPI Claim Back Online www.PPIClaimBack.co.uk
Complete The 20 Second Online Form. Get A Refund On Mis-Sold PPI.
Ads by Google
So, how dramatically would the rodent population increase if cats suddenly vanished? It just so happens that several scientific studies have been conducted that paint a vivid picture. A 1997 study in Great Britain found that the average house cat brought home more than 11 dead animals (including mice, birds, frogs and more) in the course of six months. That meant the 9 million cats of Britain were collectively killing close to 200 million wild specimens per year — not including all those they did not offer up to their owners. A study in New Zealand in 1979 found that, when cats were nearly eradicated from a small island, the local rat population quickly quadrupled.
And if the rodent population shot up, this would of course trigger a cascade of other ecological effects. On that same island in New Zealand, for instance, ecologists observed that, as rat numbers increased in the absence of cats, the population of seabirds whose eggs rats preyed upon declined. If the approximately 220 million domestic cats in the world all bit the dust, seabird populations would likely fall worldwide, while the populations of non-cat predators that prey on rats would be expected to increase.
"All species have an impact," Beck said.
And let's not forget the emotional toll that a mass cat death would take on us humans: "In this country, cats are much loved by many. While there are more dog-owning households (38 percent) than cat- owning households (34 percent), there are actually more domestic cats than dogs because cat owners own more of them. Cats as pets have always been appreciated for the contact, relatively low maintenance, and pedomorphic (child-like) face and general morphology."
Quoted from an article by Natalie Wolchover"
"Perhaps you're a cat lover. Perhaps you abhor the lazy critters. Either way, when you see a cat lounging on an armchair, napping all day but for the occasional stretch or window gaze, "useless" is by no means the last word that comes to mind. Cats, beloved or otherwise, don't radiate the message that they're indispensable, hard-working members of the household, or the world.
But, in fact, they're just playing it cool (as usual). Experts say that if all the world's cats suddenly died, things would quickly go to hell in a handbasket.
Cats, both pets and strays, may fool us into thinking that they depend on our food and trash for survival, but according to Alan Beck, professor of veterinary medicine and director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University, they're expert predators with adaptablehunting behaviors. "They are a significant predator of small animals, and can survive as almost solitary animals when the prey is scarce, while thriving in high density when the prey is abundant," Beck told Life's Little Mysteries, a sister site to LiveScience.
And that's just why we'd miss them. By killing mice and rats in barns and grain storage areas, cats are vital for keeping those pests in check. In India, Beck said, cats are believed to play a significant role in lessening the amount of grain loss caused by consumption or contamination by rodents. In other words, it may be true that humans feed cats, but without cats, humans would have less food in the first place. [Why Do Cats Bury Their Poop?]
PPI Claim Back Online www.PPIClaimBack.co.uk
Complete The 20 Second Online Form. Get A Refund On Mis-Sold PPI.
Ads by Google
So, how dramatically would the rodent population increase if cats suddenly vanished? It just so happens that several scientific studies have been conducted that paint a vivid picture. A 1997 study in Great Britain found that the average house cat brought home more than 11 dead animals (including mice, birds, frogs and more) in the course of six months. That meant the 9 million cats of Britain were collectively killing close to 200 million wild specimens per year — not including all those they did not offer up to their owners. A study in New Zealand in 1979 found that, when cats were nearly eradicated from a small island, the local rat population quickly quadrupled.
And if the rodent population shot up, this would of course trigger a cascade of other ecological effects. On that same island in New Zealand, for instance, ecologists observed that, as rat numbers increased in the absence of cats, the population of seabirds whose eggs rats preyed upon declined. If the approximately 220 million domestic cats in the world all bit the dust, seabird populations would likely fall worldwide, while the populations of non-cat predators that prey on rats would be expected to increase.
"All species have an impact," Beck said.
And let's not forget the emotional toll that a mass cat death would take on us humans: "In this country, cats are much loved by many. While there are more dog-owning households (38 percent) than cat- owning households (34 percent), there are actually more domestic cats than dogs because cat owners own more of them. Cats as pets have always been appreciated for the contact, relatively low maintenance, and pedomorphic (child-like) face and general morphology."
Quoted from an article by Natalie Wolchover"
rubbish, you can kill as many mice as you like, their population will expand to fit the food available, witness the huge mouse plagues in Australia.
in fact wasted cat food probably feeds a lot of rats and mice
wild bird populations, now that's another thing altogether, they'd love it if cats suddenly pissed off
in fact wasted cat food probably feeds a lot of rats and mice
wild bird populations, now that's another thing altogether, they'd love it if cats suddenly pissed off
Hugo a Gogo said:
wild bird populations, now that's another thing altogether, they'd love it if cats suddenly pissed off
They'd love it even more if the creatures destroying the hedgerows they live in pissed off.Even the RSPB state that cats are not having an effect on wild bird decline.
There was an interesting programme 2-3 years ago on the premise 'What if all humans just vanished?'
Dogs in houses sadly died from starvation as they were unable to get out. Those that were outside formed into hunting packs. Cats quickly reverted to wild status and were able to colonise more areas as they can climb and jump better. Vermin would be plentiful so no shortage of food.
Dogs in houses sadly died from starvation as they were unable to get out. Those that were outside formed into hunting packs. Cats quickly reverted to wild status and were able to colonise more areas as they can climb and jump better. Vermin would be plentiful so no shortage of food.
Well I'd be devastated, I'd lose three of my friends in one go!
Rescue centres would get some breathing room! Ferals would disappear so rodents will probably increase in the areas that ferals tend to colonise.
The bird population may benefit slightly but they have a lot more to deal with than cats wiping them out.
Rescue centres would get some breathing room! Ferals would disappear so rodents will probably increase in the areas that ferals tend to colonise.
The bird population may benefit slightly but they have a lot more to deal with than cats wiping them out.
Hugo a Gogo said:
rubbish, you can kill as many mice as you like, their population will expand to fit the food available, witness the huge mouse plagues in Australia.
in fact wasted cat food probably feeds a lot of rats and mice
wild bird populations, now that's another thing altogether, they'd love it if cats suddenly pissed off
Saw a documentary on that and the main problem is a lack of predators. The "plagues" also consist of House mice which are virtually extinct in the UK due to lack of habitat. We may have lots of Houses but the ways in and out are well controlled and the number of predators preclude them being able to breed successfully.in fact wasted cat food probably feeds a lot of rats and mice
wild bird populations, now that's another thing altogether, they'd love it if cats suddenly pissed off
Thats nothing, if that is the impact that removing cats from the equation would have just think what would happen if for example we started wiping out whole species of apex predators like Sharks and smaller predators like Blue Fin tuna from the seas the results would be..
.. Oh wait a second.
R.
.. Oh wait a second.
R.
paintman said:
Only because we had the ability to make tools/weapons that enabled us to kill.
Without that ability man is no match for the bigger predators or other large animals.
Only because the bigger predators have big claws and are big, without these attributes they are no match... can you see where this is going?Without that ability man is no match for the bigger predators or other large animals.
rxtx said:
telecat said:
We are the ultimate predator. You cannot get bigger, or faster or more powerful to fend us off.
I think some bears might disagree Sad day for my 11 year old Cairn . He's a predator , who also loves cats( to chase). In his garden - no cats are safe, but out and about- he loves to make friends. He was ( so i'm told brought up with a cat - so he's looking to find his friend ,and he's made a lot of pussy mates) .He's made friends with a three legged cat- it walked up to him and showed no fear -so he made friends. He's also made friends with a very small turquiose female- she walked up to him and again showed no fear .Now , he & pussy have a sniffing match ,when they meet. Cat comes to me to get a doggie treat - and Toby doesen't object .
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff