‘Kittycam’ study finds cats are virtual killing machines

Yahoo! News ^ | August 07, 2012 | Eric Pfeiffer,

[george76]

Cast aside all fantasies of your house cat frolicking through flower-filled fields in the afternoon sun. When kitty scratches at the door begging to go outside, it's the killing hour.

...

cats ate about 30 percent of their kills, brought home another 25 percent and left 49 percent of their prey to simply decay.

So what are cats killing?

Lizards, snakes and frogs (41 percent); chipmunks and vols (25 percent); insects and worms (20 percent) and, of course, birds (12 percent).

[doc1019]

This is news?

[Jonty30]

My inside cat is always looking at the bird feeder licking his chops.

[jakerobins]

[One Name]

I believe mice are underrepresented in this poll of “likely victims”.

[doc1019]

If it moves, a cat will attack it, if it taste good, a cat will eat it. Primal instincts in practice.

[cripplecreek]

Put one of those cams on a Jack Russell Terrier and I'll show you a killin machine. And they take big game



You ain't seen nuthin till you watch an experienced JRT pluck moles out of the ground like pulling up daisies.

[Freakazoid]

Breaking News!!!

Water is WET!

[Lakeshark]

Our cat used to insist on being outside all night. She would deposit parts of her victims nearby before she came in for breakfast. She was a great hunter.

Whe was always very friendly and very cute inside, but having watched her alter ego enough, I always used to tell her how glad I was that I was so much bigger than her........

[little jeremiah]

Any frogs my cats catch they eat entirely.

Same thing with mice and bugs. Moles, rarely eat. Must taste weird. No birds for the blind cats and the other one isn’t interested in hunting. They did clean the property from being over run with rats and mice. Did a good job.

[tacticalogic]

I’m not sure what they were using for metrics, but I read an article once that said the most efficient predator in the entire animal kingdom was a mother cat, with kittens to feed.

[tacticalogic]

I’m not sure what they were using for metrics, but I read an article once that said the most efficient predator in the entire animal kingdom was a mother cat, with kittens to feed.

[Pontiac]

Groundhogs are nasty when cornered.

But that looks like a youngster.

Still I give the dog credit for taking one. They are not that easy to surprise.

[pallis]

My cats used to kill everything that moved, but now they like to sit in the shade with the squirrels. They think everything in the yard is a fellow pet.

[packrat35]

Jack Russells and Rat Terriers give cats a good run for the money on killing game.

[Fledermaus]

Duh! What’s next? Government funding for “Birdcams” to see if they fly?

[TheRhinelander]

We had a dragonfly swarm recently. My cats had a field day. My male cat actually killed and ate a hummingbird once. I couldn’t believe it. Feeder was in the wrong place. I’ll never give up cats. They serve their purpose making out home mouse free. Haven’t had any chipmunk holes in my lawn in years either. >:)

[doc1019]

As an added benefit, cats will keep your lawn free of moles. Love cats. Limited maintenance maximum love and will keep your household free of rodents ... what is not to love.

[martin_fierro]

[SkyDancer]

~ Yep ~