Feeding habits offeral cats felis silvestris catus in the countryside of Majorca Island, Spain

Abstract

The diet of feral cats ( Felis silvestris catus ) in the Mediterranean island of Majorca (Spain) was studied from July 2008 to June 2009 by the analysis of the scats of 75 feral cats captured in baited traps in 14 different areas. A total of 138 preys were identified in the analyzed scats. Mammals were the main group preyed on and constituted 93% both in frequency and biomass. Among them, mice were the most frequent prey consumed (55% Mus sp., 18% Apodemus sylvaticus ) but represented only 20% of biomass. Rat was present in 29% of scats and was the main component in terms of biomass (57%). Rabbit was found at a frequency of 6.6%, and constituted 18% of biomass. Other prey (birds, geckos and insects) were found in lower frequency, and all pooled constituted only 7% of biomass. Reproductive females preyed less upon mice (20%) than the other cats (77%). This may indicate that these females tended to predate upon higher preys, which may be secondary to increased energetic requirements due to pregnancy or lactation. No seasonal variations were found in any of the different parameters studied. Results indicate that rodents constitute all year round the main prey item in feral cat diet in the countryside of Majorca.