A comparison of the diets of feral cats Felis catus and red foxes Vulpes vulpes on Phillip Island, Victoria.

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Kirkwood ◽  
P Dann ◽  
M Belvedere
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Profound Impact ◽  
Dietary Components

THE introduction of feral cats (Felis catus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) to Australia in the 1800s had a profound impact on resident ecosystems. Both predators colonised successfully and now are distributed across most of mainland Australia (Saunders et al. 1995; Abbott 2002). They consume mainly ground-dwelling mammals (Coman 1973; Croft and Hone 1978; Jones and Coman 1981; Lapidge and Henshall 2002; Hutchings 2003), but where these are scarce, birds, reptiles, insects and human refuse may become important dietary components (e.g., Bubela et al. 1998; Paltridge 2002). Although they prey on similar species, when compared at the same location differences in diet between the predators are evident (Triggs et al. 1984; Catling 1988; Risbey et al. 1999).

Diet Of Foxes And Cats, With Evidence Of Predation On Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallabies (Petrogale Xanthopus Celeris) By Foxes In Southwsetern Queensland.

2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
SJ Lapidge ◽  
S Henshall
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Stomach Content ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Stomach Content Analysis ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Feral Animal Control ◽  
Feral Animal

INTRODUCED red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cats (Felis catus) were shot on Lambert, Acton and Caranna Pastoral Stations in southwestern Queensland (25�20'S; 145�24'E) (Fig. 1) as part of a feral animal control program undertaken before and during the experimental reintroduction of yellowfooted rock-wallabies (Petrogale xanthopus celeris) to Lambert Station. Animals were encountered during regular fieldtrip spotlight surveys or as part of a macropod harvesting program. Sixty-eight V. vulpes (20?, 10?, 38 sex unknown) and 32 F. catus (10?, 12?, 10 sex unknown) were shot between February 1998 and October 2000; stomach content analysis was carried out on 27 V. vulpes (18?, 9?) and 23 F. catus (11?, 12?). Animals not sexed or examined were shot in the absence of the first author.

The diet of feral house cats (Felis catus) at a regional rubbish tip, Victoria

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Hutchings
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Live Prey ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Dietary Breadth ◽  
Bone Fragments ◽  
Dietary Components ◽  
Potential Impact

The diet of feral cats (Felis catus) inhabiting a regional rubbish tip (dump) in Victoria was studied to determine whether cats utilised garbage or live prey from the surrounding heathlands for food. Between 30 and 50 cat scats were collected from the tip over two years in each of four sampling periods: spring 1997, autumn 1998, spring 1998 and autumn 1999. The scats were analysed to determine major dietary components, dietary breadth and seasonal overlap of diet. Bone fragments from meat scraps were the most frequent dietary item detected in the scats. Vertebrate prey species occurred less often in the cats' diet but a variety of both introduced and native species were represented. Analysis of dietary breadth confirmed that cats selected mainly meat and chicken scraps from the garbage but indicated that vertebrates were hunted opportunistically. Control measures are suggested to reduce cat numbers at regional rubbish tips to relieve potential impact on native wildlife.

The diet of the feral cat (Felis catus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and dog (Canis familiaris) over a three-year period at Witchelina Reserve, in arid South Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 204 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Z. Woinarski ◽  
Sally L. South ◽  
Paul Drummond ◽  
Gregory R. Johnston ◽  
Alex Nankivell
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Canis Familiaris ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Significant Seasonal Variation ◽  
Introduced Predators ◽  
Pogona Vitticeps ◽  
First Time

Introduced predators have had, and continue to have, severe impacts on Australian biodiversity. At a recently established conservation reserve, Witchelina, in arid South Australia, we assessed the diet of feral cats (Felis catus) (404 samples), red fox (Vulpes vulpes) (51 samples) and dog (Canis familiaris) (11 samples) over a 3-year period. There was marked overlap (98.5%) in dietary composition between cats and foxes. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) comprised a major dietary item for all three predators. Invertebrates contributed the largest number of prey items for foxes and cats, but mammals comprised the bulk, by weight, for all three predators. Birds and reptiles had a higher frequency of occurrence in the diet of cats than of foxes or dogs. The size of mammal prey taken was least for cats and greatest for dogs. The diets of cats and foxes showed significant seasonal variation, with reptiles and invertebrates being least common in the diet in winter. The threatened thick-billed grasswren (Amytornis modestus) was found for the first time in the diet of feral cats. Bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) occurred in about one-third of cat and fox samples. This study contributes further to the evidence of biodiversity impacts of introduced predators, and the need for their strategic management.

scholarly journals Spatial Segregation between Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes), European Wildcats (Felis silvestris) and Domestic Cats (Felis catus) in Pastures in a Livestock Area of Northern Spain

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 268
Author(s):  
Alberto Rodríguez ◽  
Fermín Urra ◽  
Fernando Jubete ◽  
Jacinto Román ◽  
Eloy Revilla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Spatial Segregation ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Forest Edges ◽  
Felis Silvestris ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Species Pairs ◽  
Anthropogenic Modifications

Red foxes, European wildcats and domestic cats share cattle pastures for hunting in La Pernía Valley, northern Spain. To understand the mechanisms that allow the coexistence of these mesopredators in a habitat characterized by its anthropogenic modifications, we recorded sightings of these species in pastures in the summers of 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. We tested if the species preferred specific areas of pastures and if they exhibited any spatial segregation in the use of pastures. Red foxes did not show consistent preferences for any area of the pastures. European wildcats preferred pasture areas closer to streams and forest edges, whereas domestic cats preferred areas closer to buildings and paved roads whilst avoiding forest edges. All species pairs showed strong spatial segregation with less than 7% overlap. We hypothesize that spatial segregation is the mechanism used by European wildcats and domestic cats to avoid dangerous interactions with other predators and which characterizes their preference of specific areas on pastures, using areas near places that may protect them from other predators. Ultimately, the influence of fox presence (and probably that of other larger potential predators) on the use of pastures by European wildcats and domestic cats is decreasing the number of interactions between them and may help to prevent hybridization in this area.

Variation in fur farm and wild populations of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes (Carnivora: Canidae) — Part I: Morphometry

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Zatoń-Dobrowolska ◽  
Magdalena Moska ◽  
Anna Mucha ◽  
Heliodor Wierzbicki ◽  
Piotr Przysiecki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Selective Breeding ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Morphometric Traits ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Ear Height ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
The Right ◽  
Almost All

This paper demonstrates the influence of artificial selection on morphometric traits in the red fox [Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758)]. Measurements and two proportion coefficients were analysed in 132 wild and 199 farm red foxes. The two groups differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) on all but one of the measurements. Eight out of 11 measurements were significantly greater in the farm fox population, while only tail length, ear height, and length of the right hind limb were greater in the population of wild foxes. The opposite trend was observed when analysing variation in the measurements — the farm foxes were characterized by a greater variability only in the case of body weight, body length, and breadth of chest. When analysing the sexual dimorphism index in different sex and population groups, in almost all analysed traits, the greatest differences occurred between farm males and wild females. All of the traits examined in this study are important for survival of wild foxes. However, because importance of some traits was reduced during domestication and selective breeding (farm foxes do not have to fight for survival), the genetic relationship between them may have weakened. Other possible causes of morphological differences between the studied groups of red foxes are discussed as well.

scholarly journals Disseminated Mycobacterium bovis Infection in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) with Cerebral Involvement Found in Portugal

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 531-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C. Matos ◽  
Luis Figueira ◽  
Maria H. Martins ◽  
Manuela Matos ◽  
Márcia Morais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Bovis ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Cerebral Involvement

Biology of the Feral Cat, Felis Catus (L.), On Macquarie Island.

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 425 ◽  
Author(s):  
NP Brothers ◽  
IJ Skira ◽  
GR Copson
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Macquarie Island ◽  
Pregnant Females

246 feral cats were shot on Macquarie Island, Australia, between Dec. 1976 and Feb. 1981. The sex ratio ( males : females ) was 1:0.8. The percentages of animals with tabby, orange and black coats were 74, 26 and 2 resp. [sic]. Of the 64 orange cats, 56 were males . The breeding season was Oct.-Mar., with a peak in Nov.-Dec. The number of embryos in the 14 pregnant females averaged 4.7 (range = 1-9). The size of the 23 litters that were observed averaged 3 (range = 1-8). Kitten survival to 6 months of age was estimated to be <43%.

The diet of red foxes, Vulpes vulpes L., in Victoria

1973 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 391 ◽  
Author(s):  
BJ Coman
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Main Food ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Over Time

Stomach contents were examined for 1229 foxes collected in Victoria during 1968-70. Of these, 967 stomachs contained measurable quantities of food. The fox appears to have a very wide dietary range but is predominantly carnivorous. The main food items encountered were rabbits, sheep carrion, and mice. Lesser amounts of native mammals, birds, cold-blooded vertebrates, invertebrates, and plant material were encountered. For many foods, particularly insects, the intake was markedly seasonal. Regional differences in diet were also apparent. Much of the variation in intake of particular foods over time and between regions was explicable in terms of changing availabilities of these foods.

scholarly journals Mesocarnivores and macroparasites: altitude and land use predict the ticks occurring on red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila D. Sándor ◽  
Gianluca D’Amico ◽  
Călin M. Gherman ◽  
Mirabela O. Dumitrache ◽  
Cristian Domșa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Foxes

scholarly journals Four structural variants associated with human‐directed sociability in dogs are not found in tame red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes )

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estelle R. Bastounes ◽  
Halie M. Rando ◽  
Jennifer L. Johnson ◽  
Lyudmila N. Trut ◽  
Benjamin N. Sacks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Structural Variants ◽  
Red Foxes
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