Posted on 10/28/2018 9:37:50 AM PDT by hiho hiho
Invasive species can be ruthless. Surprisingly, they can also be adorable.
When non-native plants, animals, and pathogens are introduced into a favorable new environment, they can sweep through the ecosystem and threaten the survival of the native flora and fauna. They also wreak havoc on the economy. From Burmese python to Asian carp, efforts to eradicate or control invasive species cost U.S. taxpayers an estimated $138 billion per year.
But in one notable case, humans have been happy to make an invasive species feel at home. We're talking about cats: one of the most prolific invasive species in history.
The National Wildlife Federation defines invasive species as any kind of living organism — an animal, plant, seeds, even bacteria or fungus — that is not native to an ecosystem and causes harm. It turns out that domesticated cats have no native range. Originally bred from wild cats and introduced to North America by European colonists, domesticated cats are now listed as one of the top 100 invasive species worldwide by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Domestic cats are directly responsible for the extinction of a number of animal species around the world, including 33 bird species. In the U.S., the popular pet is estimated to kill over 1 billion birds and over 6 billion other small animals every year. While the biggest threat are currently posed by feral cats — domesticated breeds that don't have an owner and aren't socialized to humans — even common house cats that are well cared for and fed will hunt and kill if let outside.
Cats also transmit diseases. In 2014, of the domestic animals that contracted rabies, which can then be spread to the local wildlife and humans, roughly 60 percent of them were cats.
Like nearly all invasive species, cats also have rapid rates of reproduction. Females can start breeding at just 6 months old and can breed every 4 months, producing up to 12 kittens every year. In just the last 40 years, the number of domestic cats across America has tripled. While it's difficult to get an accurate count of feral cats, estimates suggest that today there are at least 30 million of them roaming our streets and neighborhoods. An additional 40 million pet cats have regular access to the outdoors.
There are some simple and effective solutions to help minimize the harm domesticated cats pose to local wildlife. Spaying or neutering the pets helps keep the cat population under control. Keeping cats indoors will prevent them from preying on birds and other small animals in the area.
Ironically, one of the hazards some cats face in the wild comes from another invasive species. In Florida, non-native Burmese pythons, bred as exotic pets, got loose and multiplied in the Everglades; their population grew rapidly in the wake of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Today, they number in the tens or even hundreds of thousands, and Burmese pythons are encroaching into suburban areas — where domesticated cats make easy prey.
Yep, nature seeks its balance. So does the human race, sadly enough. Waiting for WW III, it”ll be a humdinger.
Illegal aliens are an invasive species, let’s talk about getting rid of them. At least cats have some good qualities.
So what's the problem? Most of the small animals they kill are rats and mice.
No shortage of birds around here, or stray cats.
Rats and mice are invasive species
They kill birds too
No problem with that either.
I’d rather have cats than rats and mice
Why?
We love most of the birds that visit our property
The numbers seem unbelievable , but what would it be like if 1 billion birds and 6 billions small animals were not killed each year?
Did PETA write this article?
Wiping out cats did wonders for the medieval human population...
Yes. The anti-cat zealots are out in force recently. I get that it is safer for cats to be indoors. Both for themselves and for the birds they prey upon. But cats were an important part of keeping rodents under control way before cats were domesticated. Continuing their natural role in the ecosystem is not destroying the balance of nature.
I think too the number of songbirds killed is greatly exaggerated. The example is always given of some cat who had devoured, destroyed or what have you large quantities of feathered innocents. I would argue such cats are atypical.
Your typical house cat that is outdoors part of the time is not the problem. Feral cat colonies that do-gooders insist should be vaccinated, fixed, and released are.
For some inexplicable reason I kept thinking about invasive illegal aliens while reading the article. It could be the number 30 million. For some odd reason that number has a certain “ring” to it.
I befriended a feral. He has the run of the “south 40” and regularly treats me to presents of rats, mice and moles. Yes, he does occasionally give me a still live (barely) bird but Steller’s Jays, crows, and hawks are far more destructive in that regard.
People used to understand this. That’s why it was no big deal to drown sacks of kittens
I like birds too. But cats kill birds — that’s nature. The smarter birds will learn to keep clear of them, and then pass on their genes. I wouldn’t worry about a lack of birds visiting your property due to cats.
That said, if feral cats are pests on my property, I’d have no qualms about shooting them.
"ninja cat awaits......"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.