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.
Some neighbors cat at my bird feeder dont get the message of a Crossman at 2 or 3 pumps may need to up it to 4 or 5
Owner, whoever they are, may get the message after picking one of those festered things out.
In the conflict between cat and cat hater, God voted for the cat when he sent the pandemic plague.
Never mind, don’t want to talk to you. That was a sh*tty and cruel thing to say, even if it was a joke.
Everyone I know who has livestock in a barn has barn cats. It’s essential to keep the rodents out of the feed and dirtying things up.
No shortage of deer population anywhere around.
When the owner finds out who's doing it you'll face serious animal cruelty charges and never be able to own a firearm again.
Cats as an Invasive Species rank second only to DemocRats.
I should point out that I didn’t want to talk to you to begin with. You can’t take a joke.
Jeez, I didn’t know people were upset at cats being invasive, but illegals people aren’t upset....?
You seem nice.
Still, I have to wonder. Are we really sure that old ladies don't eat cats? I mean, if you were a cat-eating old lady isn't the first thing you'd do to deny it? And they all deny it, don't they? Well, it sounds suspicious to me...
I don't know about that. I had two cats that were indoor/outdoor cats. We had a pet door, so they could come and go at will. The two cats had all the store bought cat food they wanted- the bowl always had food. But between spring and fall, they brought inside at least one bird a day, not to mention numerous lizards, snakes, rabbits, mice, bats (yes bats), etc... . This started when they were about one year old and lasted until they were about ten years old. They usually didn't even finish killing them, they were just playing. They left the killing to the dog.
http://www.straypetadvocacy.org/PDF/AnimalCrueltyLaws.pdf
Scroll down and find your state, shooting a cat with a pellet gun is a felony charge in most.
You’ll blow money on lawyers, lose the ability to ever own a firearm, in some states never be able to vote again etc.
I hope Australia enjoys the upcoming rat population explosion and the waste and diseases it will bring.
Earthworms are also an invasive species.
Birds are a prey species (most of them). They do better if there is a predictor around.
Closest neighbor is 4 acres way E&W and 25 N&S.
All the states have a least one exemption I could use maybe more.
Keep yer stray kitties out from under my bird feeders and there 9 lives will remain at 9 and I am sure mine are not the only feeders they scout out.
Theres plenty to eat between here and where ever they live
PS I own a cat,stays in and doesnt like my feeder interuptus visitors either.
Matter fact goes nuts when the stray(s) shows up. Traitor lets me know its there.
Thanks for the info
“Waiting for WW III, it”ll be a humdinger.”
Don’t worry. I’m sure that all our refugees, Dreamers and illegals will jump right up and help defend America.
Which really narrows it down when the Sheriffs Dept is looking for who is doing it.
You might go to Walmart or Home Depot for chemicals designed to make cats stay away.
Otherwise you'll be wearing a set of bracelets soon.
My own cats are indoor-only. But if they were allowed outside and I found out that a neighbor shot them, you would never be able to HOLD a firearm again. Anyone harming a hair on one of my cats would release Tiger Cat Lover in me and I would be afraid of what I'd do.
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