IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Sliwa, A.; Herbst, M.; Mills, M.G.L. | |
| Prey Consumption and Distances Covered by Black-Footed Cats (_Felis nigripes_) and African Wild Cats (_Felis silvestris_) - a Comparison of Two Small Felids from South African Arid Lands | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Two field studies into feeding ecology and behaviour of two small felids of South Africa yielded information on prey captured and distances covered, by observing individuals directly. Both species include a large diversity of prey items in their diet (invertebrates, reptiles, birds and small mammals). Black-footed cats (BFC) average smaller (male=1.9 / female=1.3 kg) than African wild cats (AWC) with weight (male=5.1 / female=3.9 kg). Average distances travelled per night by 10 BFCs (5male / 5female) during 85 nights, where they were continuously observed, was 8.42 ñ 2.09 km (4.42-14.61 km), for 8 AWCs (5male / 3female) on 94 nights were 5.1 ñ 3.35 km (1.07 - 17.37 km). Average prey mass consumed was 237 ñ 105 g (67 - 611g) for BFC and 401 ñ 358 g/night (2 - 2250g) for AWC. BFCs consumed 30.3 ñ 17.1 g / km (6.5 - 110.2g) while AWCs 107.9 + 133.8 g/km travelled (0.94 - 979.9g). Respectively BFCs captured 12.4 ñ 5.3 prey items/ night (2 - 26) and AWCs 13.7 + 17.2 prey items/night (1 - 113). Further comparisons between the two species are drawn, to elucidate their respective predatory role in the felid guild. |
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