this post was submitted on 14 Sep 2023
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TBF most cats do just fine in the wild
Cats are literally apex predators.
Accurate. They can catch, kill, and subsist on more creatures than any other land animal. They are peerless predators on land.
Outside humans, wolves are the most successful land predators. They have spread the farthest, into the most diverse ecosystems etc.
No. They’re not.
Apex predators are those that aren’t also prey.
House cats are predators, but they’re also prey to hawks, eagles and owls. Dogs, coyotes, etc.
I'm not convinced by maybe 50% of this. Especially if you remember Europe exists.
Europe has raptors too. Europe has species that fill the same niches... and absolutely will take a domestic cat if the opportunity present.
This is why, for example cats like to hide in things like boxes and cat caves. it's because they are not apex predators- they're very skilled, don't get me wrong. but they're not apex.
They may not be apex predators in that sense but theyre a lot like us in that theyve wiped out the 2nd most number of species in the modern era only losing 1st place to humans.
Wow you’ve described some North American animals and extrapolated that to the experience of cats across the world.
Cats are apex predators in their environments across most of the world.
Domestic cats?
Because the only places that don’t have owls are Antarctica and very-far-north in the artic circle (ie on the polar ice,)
Most places in the world have something that fill the niche of hawks and eagles and owls.
The only cats that are apex predators are the big cats(lions, tigers leapords, panthers jaguars… etc). Domestic cats are prey animals as well as predators.
Even if in the places domestic cats are let out, humans have killed off most their predators.
I can’t imagine any bids of prey large enough in Australian cities to consistently prey on cats.
The only predator that really eats cats here are Tasmanian Devils and well they live on a seperate island from the mainland and 99% of all cats here.
And I’d wager across other places eagles or owls aren’t snacking on cats outside of chances of opportunity.
I get it. You want to think of cats as fierce hunters. And they are that. none of what that is invalidated by them occasionally being hunted. The reality is that kind of thinking- that the cat will be okay, because they're fierce apex predators is wrong... and besides man made hazards... there are other animals that will absolutely attack a cat. especially one with a dinner bell on it's collar.
I get it. You want to think of birds as fierce hunters. And they are that. none of what that is invalidated by them occasionally being hunted. The reality is that kind of thinking- that the bird will be okay, because they’re fierce apex predators is wrong… and besides man made hazards… there are other animals that will absolutely attack a bird.
Mate you're a fucking moron. Cats are apex predators in many locations, especially cities where they surprise surprise are largely found, this isn't up your personal feelings about fucking eagles swooping down and eating them or whatever fantasies you dream of.
Never said birds were. But I wouldn’t argue it based on what happens in cities… That would be like arguing tetras are apex predators because they’re the only thing in the fish tank.
To think otherwise is ridiculous.
If you don’t take local environment into account, than you’re comparing a planets worth of species in which case an Orca could kill any other species and the only thing that hunts them is us, so they’re not even an apex themselves.
You might as well argue there is not one apex predator on the planet.
You do know dogs chase and kill cats and dogs live in cities, right?