Small, soft and tender friends of man, cats are also formidable apex predators. This is confirmed by a recent analysis which lists over 2000 different animals already killed by stray cats around the planet. Among these, at least 347 species are classified as threatened by humans and 11 are even extinct in the wild. Impressive numbers that underline how the global spread of cats can have catastrophic consequences for ecosystems.
The cat blacklist
The researchers reviewed more than 500 scientific sources to create the largest database to date on cats' predatory habits. The result? A frightening list of over 2000 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects devoured by wild cats. They range from the most common prey such as mice, birds and rabbits to more unusual victims such as tortoises, emus and even domestic cattle.
Cross-referencing the data with the IUCN Red List of the threatened species, it emerged that at least 347 of the recorded prey are classified as "near threatened", "vulnerable" or even "endangered". In many cases these are birds, reptiles and small mammals endemic to remote islands, which in the presence of natural predators similar to cats are defenseless and condemned to slaughter.
The impact on already extinct species
As mentioned, 11 species preyed upon by cats are now listed as "extinct in the wild" or completely "extinct". These include the Hawaiian crow, the New Zealand quail and the Australian white-footed mouse rabbit. A tangible sign of how stray cats can lead to the annihilation of unique local fauna.
If you recover from the feeling of reading totally absurd news (we've been through it ourselves) let's reiterate: the extent of the phenomenon is even underestimated. As the first author of the research explains Christopher Lepczyk, cats prey on many more species than are documented. For example, insect predation is certainly higher than recorded (119 species), given that insect remains in feline regurgitations are more difficult to identify.
South America, Asia and Africa: gaps to fill
Again for research purposes, most of the studies analyzed and condensed in a paper in Nature Communications (I link it here) focused on North America and Australia. More research is therefore needed to assess the extent of the "cat astrophe" in South America, Asia and Africa, where myriads of species at risk could be hiding.
In any case, the available data already paints cats as "extraordinarily versatile predators", capable of decimating native biodiversity wherever they spread, he warns Sarah Legge from Charles Darwin University. And extinctions are inevitable if nothing is done.
“Everything” cats: what can be done?
The solution exists and is within reach. As Lepczyk points out, simply preventing domestic cats from roaming freely destroys fragile ecosystems. In short, owners must be more responsible in the control and management of their animals.
We also need awareness, because often people (including, evidently, me) underestimate the predatory nature of the cute little cat that keeps them company. Finally, it is essential to strengthen research and monitoring to fill the gaps on where and which native species are most at risk. Only in this way will it be possible to implement the most appropriate measures to protect biodiversity.
In fact, at stake is not only the fate of rare and exotic species, but that of entire ecosystems that risk collapse. Just as has happened countless times in the history of the planet due to invasive predators out of control. This time, however, the invasive predator is our favorite furry accomplice.
