HOME RANGE, ACTIVITY PATTERNS AND RESOURCE UTILIZATION OF FREE-RANGING URBAN CATS, FELIS CATUS (NEW YORK, FERAL).
Item
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Title
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HOME RANGE, ACTIVITY PATTERNS AND RESOURCE UTILIZATION OF FREE-RANGING URBAN CATS, FELIS CATUS (NEW YORK, FERAL).
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Identifier
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AAI8629700
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identifier
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8629700
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Creator
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HASPEL, CAROL FLORA.
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Contributor
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Robert Calhoon
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Date
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1986
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Biology, Ecology
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Abstract
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Home range, activity patterns and resource availability of free-ranging cats, Felis catus, were studied in two urban subhabitats (multiple-dwelling versus brownstone rowhouses), in three seasons (Fall, Spring, Fall), by gender and with regard to food supplementation. The area of multiple-dwellings had significantly more abandoned buildings and garbage than the brownstone area but supplementary food from humans occurred equally in both. Twenty-four percent of the residents admitted to feeding cats (2.82% daily, 20.9% occasionally). They collectively supplied the cats with an estimated 25 kg of food daily, enough to support 7.55 to 9.26 cats/ha. It is estimated that in New York City 205,860 people derive the benefits of pet ownership by being daily cat feeders. Sources of shelter, medical help and adoption were quantified. Mean cat population was significantly different in the two areas. Estimated mean population size in the multiple-dwelling area was 80.30, a density of 4.88 cats/ha, in the brownstone area 34.06, a density of 2.03 cats/ha. Neither season nor additional supplementary feeding had an effect on population size. Home range size of male cats was significantly greater than females (2.62 ha versus 1.77 ha). Females were found in the center of their range significantly more and showed significantly less variability in home range size than males. There was no significant difference in home range size with regard to neighborhood or season. Feeding cats did not result in a change in their home range size although cats tended to concentrate at feeding stations. Male activity was not dependent on neighborhood, nor did it change with season, however, it increased with additional supplementary feeding. Females in the multiple-dwelling area reduced their activity in spring and with supplementary feeding; females in the brownstone area behaved more like males. The difference in female activity by neighborhood is believed to reflect the difference between sexually intact and neutered individuals. Cat activity diminished in fall and increased in spring. Nightly cat activity continually increased from 2200 hours to a peak at sunrise, however, females, brownstone cats and cats receiving additional supplementary feeding curtailed their activity in the early morning.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Biology
