Underclass students hiked in Northfield on Mountain Day, 24 September, 2019. Photography by Mona Seno.

This image is of a feral domestic long hair cat or a Felis catus taken in Kirksville, MO on October 28th at 11 am. While this animal is most often seen in a domestic setting, this case however, the Felis catus is seen in a wild setting. This organism has been forced to remain outdoors, thus causing it to revert to its more animalistic nature. This feral cat does appear to have morphological differences comparative to domestic cats. According to O’REGAN and Kitchener, feral cats seem to have a shorter gut length which relates to their shift to a more carnivorous diet. Feral cats are generalists, meaning that they prey on a large array of organisms for their nutrients. Shorter guts absorb fewer nutrients, relating to these organism’s high protein diet. A morphological difference not seen is significantly larger cranial volumes. Wild cats (ie- Cheetahs, Pumas, etc) have larger cranial volumes. Domesticated cats do not show this trait. Similarly, feral cats do not show this trait. So, while some morphological changes are occurring, other features are remaining the same. This may be a result of not having enough ecological time to reacquire this trait, or it is possible that this will lead to a new evolutionary species.

Feral cats have become a rising issue to Ecologists and more importantly, Ornithologists. These organisms are disrupting food webs that have been established for quite some time. For example, one prey of feral cats are many species of birds. According to Karl and Best, approximately 40 percent of feral cats successfully prey on various breeds of birds in New Zealand. Comparatively, in the US, it is seen through a study done by Hawkins et al that bird species selectively live in ‘No-Cat’ areas due to the massive negative impact that feral cat populations induce on bird species. As feral cat populations rise and prey even more on these food webs, the food webs are thrown even more out of order. Bird species tend to have lower reproduction as more are eaten prior to reaching reproductive age, or before reproduction can occur. This is leading to a decline in bird species across much of the US. Birds also have an impact on ecosystems both here and abroad (assuming they’re migratory birds). Therefore, this lowing of species abundance is causing effects not only within the US, but the effects can likely be seen abroad as well.

Sources:

Hawkins, C. C., Grant, W. E., & Longnecker, M. T. (2004). Effect of house cats, being fed in parks, on California birds and rodents. In Proceedings of the 4th International Urban Wildlife Symposium. School of Natural Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.[Online.] Available at:(29 March 2009) (pp. 164-170).

Karl, B. J., & Best, H. A. (1982). Feral cats on Stewart Island; their foods, and their effects on kakapo. New Zealand journal of zoology, 9(2), 287-293.

O'REGAN, H. J., & Kitchener, A. C. (2005). The effects of captivity on the morphology of captive, domesticated and feral mammals. Mammal Review, 35(3‐4), 215-230.

Upper School Fall drama production of Macbeth, by Michelle Scrivener