The figures are based on a collation of many studies. It is dangerous to make bold statements about the impact of roaming domestic cats on wildlife. There are many articles on the subject, a high proportion of which are frankly misleading due to bias and “estimations” and “extrapolations”. All rather pointless to be honest. These figures are the best I have seen but they only indicate the diet (the sorts of animals preyed upon) of roaming domestic cats who eat live prey. There is no comment on the extinction of any species because of domestic cats. That is a very complex subject which is abused by people with an axe to grind.
The full description is:
Average frequency of occurrence of mammals, birds and reptiles in the diet of the domestic cat based on gut or scat (feces) analysis in relation to cats in the northern hemisphere, meaning Europe and N.America combined, and on islands with and without seabirds.
This is a quote from the excellent book: The Domestic Cat: The Biology of its Behavior (I have it on Kindle):
“Careful studies are still needed before ‘condemning’ all cats to an indoor life, or even forbidding them as pets.”
The hunting success rate of the domestic cat – a very successful predator is good. They require only between two and five pounces to capture prey. The success rate depends on the prey species. The wait before the pounce is important and a factor in success.
And this was by the Smithsonian Instute? Well, I am thinking that the Smithsonian Instituit is worth nothing, when it comes to DSH and prey is worth nothing. Especially as far as statistics are worth.
And then, what are they worth as far as prey upon domestic felines?
Rudimentary calculations re the Smithsonian’s estimate of the number of birds taken by domestic and feral cats mean that all birds have been extinct in N America for many years. First they should learn simple mathematics and then shut up.
90% are either misleading or misused but these are not bad only because they are a collation of a lot of studies. We still need more information though and we need to shut up the cat haters with an axe to grind.
Michael, I really don’t rely on any statistics, when it comes to the numbers re felines and their prey. Do you?
I don’t.
LOL. Funny. Thanks for amusing me HeyMorrons(redux).
I think I’ll start calling you “De Queen of De-Nial”. After-all; you’re just as squeamish, spineless, and heartless of every other last ignorant, amoral and bambi-cartoon-educated cat-licking cat-lady that refuses to give any unwanted and uncared-for cat a humane death — instead ensuring they all suffer to death. But then, without suffering and dead cats on every continent to exploit on all your pages, there’d go your only real money-maker. Now wouldn’t it. LOL!!!