Domestic cats predate large numbers of small mammals, birds and reptiles, contributing to several species extinctions
Several wildlife species have become endangered or extinct as a result of predation by free-ranging domestic cats. Scientific studies identify cats as highly efficient predators that can exert strong pressure on native fauna, particularly in ecosystems where prey species did not evolve alongside similar hunters Asd.
Many of the studies linking domestic cats to species extinctions are based on highly sensitive ecosystems, such as islands or isolated habitats, where native fauna evolved without similar predators. In these contexts, even limited predation can have disproportionate effects. However, extrapolating these results to all environments can overstate the overall impact of cats. In more complex and resilient ecosystems, wildlife populations are influenced by multiple factors, and the role of domestic cats alone may be far less significant than these studies suggest.
Even if impacts are strongest in sensitive ecosystems, these systems host a large share of global biodiversity. Combined with the high density of free-ranging cats worldwide, this supports a precautionary approach that favors restricting outdoor access.
To be continued here
Biodiversity