What do cats hunt: the main difference between city and village pets

02.06.2023 12:34

It is widely believed that the main object of interest to cats as prey is rodents.

However, in reality, everything is not so clear-cut, because cats have different hunting preferences, which largely depend on their habitat.

As researchers have discovered, cats that live in cities and rural areas differ significantly in their choice of prey.

The reason lies in the “supply”, since villages can be called the kingdom of all kinds of rodents, while the streets and avenues of cities are filled with birds.

City cats

This is probably why birds are at the top of the list of preferences for city dwellers. What is noteworthy is that hunting for birds only sometimes ends with a meal.

Cat
Photo: © Belnovosti

In addition, rodents, primarily mice, are at the top of the city cats. But lizards, amphibians, moles and fish are much less common.

Country cats

The favorite prey of cats living outside the city is mice. The number two hunting object is voles, in third place are other rodents, while the fourth place is occupied by lizards.

In addition, villagers hunt birds, moles and shrews, as well as fish and amphibians.

Finally, let us note: if a cat does not have the opportunity to express its hunting instinct, it will choose another object, which may be not only a toy, but also, for example, the owner’s legs.

Author: Elena Shimanovskaya Editor of Internet resources

Content
  1. City cats
  2. Country cats