Some scientists say cats are an 'invasive alien species'

Discussion in 'General Science & Technology' started by wegs, Jul 29, 2022.

  1. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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  3. billvon Valued Senior Member

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  5. gmilam Valued Senior Member

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    The feathers in my back yard tell me that, yes, cats are cold blooded little killers. It's what they do.

    I have watched a momma cat bring a wounded mouse home to her kittens so they could practice hunting.
     
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  7. geordief Valued Senior Member

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    Won't it work if you put a bell on them?

    Can't stand the buggers personally and clear them from the garden at every opportunity.
     
  8. sideshowbob Sorry, wrong number. Valued Senior Member

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    Then you're doing it wrong.

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    So are humans. We're the ultimate invasive species. We like cats because they remind us of us.
     
  9. geordief Valued Senior Member

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    Speak for yourself.I hate them felines to peeces.
     
  10. sideshowbob Sorry, wrong number. Valued Senior Member

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    Some people don't like cats because they remind us of our own savage nature. Do you also hate humans to pieces?
     
  11. geordief Valued Senior Member

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    Some yes.(not sure how applicable you psychoanalysis is)
     
  12. sideshowbob Sorry, wrong number. Valued Senior Member

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    I can only psychoanalyze what you say.
     
  13. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    I love my cat because he doesn't remind me of humans. lol He's the sweetest boy in the world.

    But, I did share this article with him and he gave me a strange look, like maybe he could be serial killer underneath all that cuteness and fluff.

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    This article led me to others about ''culling,'' and many people would be all for culling cats who are killing wildlife, in suburban communities (and elsewhere).

    Do we find that harsh? Are cats getting a pass simply because they're cute?
     
  14. sideshowbob Sorry, wrong number. Valued Senior Member

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    If he can read, he's more like humans than you think.
    Check the basement for graves.
     
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  15. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    lol I guess we'll never really know.

    Some days, I'll see one of my neighbor's cats roaming around my backyard, but there are villains around here more ferocious than cats to be cautious of...alligators and coyotes (I've never seen a coyote personally, but a few have been spotted by early morning runners). Not such a good idea, to let your cat or dog roam around free.

    Many ''missing cat'' signs posted around. . .
     
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  16. billvon Valued Senior Member

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    I would think just keeping them inside would be a much better solution.
     
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  17. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    Obviously agree, but there are a lot of cat haters out there, billvon.
     
  18. Sarkus Hippomonstrosesquippedalo phobe Valued Senior Member

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    Rabbits, those cute 'lil balls of fur, are also an "invasive alien species" in Australia. Devastated the ecology over there. Culling is an ongoing process, I believe.
    Cats are a species that have been around for much longer, so calling them "alien" may be a stretch, but they are/can be a pest, and I have no objection to treating them like one. The same way we treat rats etc.
    Personally I'm not a fan of the small "domesticated" cat. Pets are things you control, whereas most cats are in control of their owners!

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    Feral cats are just a nuisance. There are also too many of them to think that simply keeping "pets" inside would be a solution to the "problem".

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  19. geordief Valued Senior Member

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    Can he psychoanalyse as well?
     
  20. geordief Valued Senior Member

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    Would forcibly keeping them inside not be species cruelty?
    We have laws here that say you cannot keep a hedgehog in your garden without it having free access and exit.
     
  21. Sarkus Hippomonstrosesquippedalo phobe Valued Senior Member

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    To humans, yes!

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    I'm not sure it would be, though, as many people probably keep them in flats. If the cat gets used to living inside from an early age then they might never need to leave the house/flat.
    You can't keep the European hedgehog as a pet in the UK (probably Brexit related!

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    ) - due to declining numbers (so definitely Brexit related!) - but you can keep a "four-toed hedgehog". Presumably the European hedgehog doesn't have four toes? Not sure if there are any laws around what you need to provide, though. Most hedgehog "pets" would likely be kept in some enclosure of sorts.
     
  22. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    I don't see the issue. I've only had an indoor cat but my neighbor has an outdoor cat. They're not cats roaming all over the place, in my neighborhood at least.

    I don't see a shortage of birds. Outdoor cats have to eat. They eat birds when they are lucky. It's much easier to catch mice and rats. Farmers keep outdoor cats around for that very purpose. Are we worried that we won't have enough mice and rats?

    Should we be worried about raccoons, squirrels, rabbits? Should we just sanitize the Earth of everything not human?

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  23. geordief Valued Senior Member

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    Thought that was what we were doing.
    Soon it will just be cockroaches and Putin's grand children.
     
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