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The prey of domestic cats (Felis catus) in two suburbs of Auckland City, New Zealand

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2003

Craig Gillies
Affiliation:
Department of Conservation, Science and Research Unit, Northern Regional Office, P.O. Box 112 Hamilton, New Zealand
Mick Clout
Affiliation:
University of Auckland, School of Environmental and Marine Sciences, Private Bag 92019 Auckland, New Zealand
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Abstract

The prey brought in by 80 cats Felis catus over 1 year was monitored in two suburbs of Auckland, New Zealand: one suburb was completely urban, the other on the urban/forest fringe. Cat owners were asked to record and, if possible, keep the prey that their cats brought in. Rodents were the main prey brought in by domestic cats in the urban/forest fringe habitat, whereas invertebrates were the main prey in the fully urban habitat. Birds were caught in similar numbers by cats in both areas and were the second most important prey group at both study sites. However, more native birds were caught by cats in the urban/forest fringe area than in the fully urban habitat. Lizards were caught in similar numbers and were the third most important prey group in both study areas.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2003 The Zoological Society of London

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