Free-ranging cats may be catastrophic for wild species

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

In the news:

Free-ranging domestic cats around the world are found to eat more than 2,000 other animal species such as birds, mammals, insects, and reptiles — including 350 species of conservation concern.
The researchers found records of 2,083 distinct species consumed, including 981 birds, 463 reptiles, 431 mammals, 119 insects, 57 amphibian species, as well as 33 species from across other groups of animals.
At least 347 of these species are of conservation concern.

Free Ranging Cat (Felis catus):

Commonly referred to as the domestic cat or house cat, is the only domesticated species in the family Felidae.
Recent advances in archaeology and genetics have shown that the domestication of the cat occurred in the Near East around 7500 BC.
It is commonly kept as a house pet and farm cat, but also ranges freely as a feral cat avoiding human contact.
It can kill vermin.
It has a strong flexible body, quick reflexes, and sharp teeth, and its night vision and sense of smell are well developed.
It also secretes and perceives pheromones.