Invasive Species

[RememberSchiff]

From Environmental MB requirements:

3 (h) Invasive Species

2) Do research on two invasive plant or animal species in your com-
munity or camp. Find out where the species originated, how they were
transported to the United States, their life history, how they are spread, and
the recommended means to eradicate or control their spread. Report your
research orally or in writing to your counselor.

The Domestic (free-ranging, feral) Cat.

Up to 164 million cats reside in the United States, of which an estimated 30 to 80 million are unowned (Loss et al. 2013) (Figure 2). A large portion of owned cats are also free-ranging (Loss et al. 2013). The threat which free-ranging cats pose to native wildlife.

Domestic cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they only eat animal tissue, organs, and bones. Plant material is eaten for emetic purposes (i.e., to cause nausea and vomiting).

...

But while cats seem to have some success in keeping rats out of specific spots, studies have found that cats are better at making us think there are fewer rats than at actually eliminating them. When scientists observed cats and rats in a recycling plant in Brooklyn, they found that cats would make rats run for cover, but that they only managed to kill a grand total of two. 

...

Scientific studies estimate that free-ranging and feral cats kill 1.3 to 4.0 billion birds and 6.3 to 22.3 billion mammals annually in the United States, and that the majority of diet items are native species (Loss et al. 2013).

Domestic cats are invasive in all 50 states in the U.S. and in most countries, globally. Cats were likely domesticated in Middle Eastern faming villages. Population estimates are difficult to obtain due to the secretive nature of cats and lack of consistent census by local municipalities. 

Predators: coyotes, feral dogs, wolves, no mention of invasive Melmacians.

Sources:

Damage Management Technical Series/free-ranging-and-feral-cats.pdf   (25 pages well documented, 

https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/cats-cute-furry-cuddly-invasive-alien-species-rcna41768

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by RememberSchiff