Mammals 105 Chapter 6
Cats
Though Domestic Cats will not necessarily damage the pond directly, they may contribute to the failure of the backyard ecosystem by killing many of its inhabitants. And it’s “killing”, not eating, that’s usually the issue, because many felines have the habit of killing small animals and birds without even consuming them. A wily cat can completely devastate a pond’s fish population in a matter of days. Generally cats do not care for water but they will make attempts to “catch” colorful flashy objects moving in the water such as your prize fish or frogs and tadpoles. Part of the problem is that cats are extremely patient and will lay in ambush for hours waiting to attack an unsuspecting pond inhabitant at the precise moment they are most vulnerable.
To avoid issues with domestic house cats, it is always wise to encourage homeowners to keep their cats confined to the house. If this is not possible or acceptable, there are a few items that can be addressed if cats are going to be present. Typically cats will not go after anything too large, so purchasing larger fish will certainly reduce the problem of providing cats with a free lunch. Also, keep in mind that the average cat’s maximum reach is only about ten to twelve inches. Designing the pond’s shoreline so the water isn’t within easy reach, by leaving the water 8” lower than the rocks and soil around the perimeter, will significantly reduce the opportunity for a cat to feast on your fish. Use the cats’ natural dislike of water to your advantage by making shorelines steeply sloped or angled and creating an uncomfortable situation that will discourage the cats’ instinctive behavior to hunt near the pond.
If the pond owner enjoys wildlife, the use of floating islands can greatly increase the safety of songbirds, frogs or turtles, putting them safely out of the reach of a prowling cat.
Now, when it comes to the Wild Cats, all bets are off. Though we actually have four native cats – Cougar, Bobcat, Lynx and possibly even Jaguar – the likelihood of actually seeing one is extremely low, and there’s nothing to be done but marvel if you are actually lucky enough to do so.
Though Domestic Cats will not necessarily damage the pond directly, they may contribute to the failure of the backyard ecosystem by killing many of its inhabitants. And it’s “killing”, not eating, that’s usually the issue, because many felines have the habit of killing small animals and birds without even consuming them. A wily cat can completely devastate a pond’s fish population in a matter of days. Generally cats do not care for water but they will make attempts to “catch” colorful flashy objects moving in the water such as your prize fish or frogs and tadpoles. Part of the problem is that cats are extremely patient and will lay in ambush for hours waiting to attack an unsuspecting pond inhabitant at the precise moment they are most vulnerable.
To avoid issues with domestic house cats, it is always wise to encourage homeowners to keep their cats confined to the house. If this is not possible or acceptable, there are a few items that can be addressed if cats are going to be present. Typically cats will not go after anything too large, so purchasing larger fish will certainly reduce the problem of providing cats with a free lunch. Also, keep in mind that the average cat’s maximum reach is only about ten to twelve inches. Designing the pond’s shoreline so the water isn’t within easy reach, by leaving the water 8” lower than the rocks and soil around the perimeter, will significantly reduce the opportunity for a cat to feast on your fish. Use the cats’ natural dislike of water to your advantage by making shorelines steeply sloped or angled and creating an uncomfortable situation that will discourage the cats’ instinctive behavior to hunt near the pond.
If the pond owner enjoys wildlife, the use of floating islands can greatly increase the safety of songbirds, frogs or turtles, putting them safely out of the reach of a prowling cat.
Now, when it comes to the Wild Cats, all bets are off. Though we actually have four native cats – Cougar, Bobcat, Lynx and possibly even Jaguar – the likelihood of actually seeing one is extremely low, and there’s nothing to be done but marvel if you are actually lucky enough to do so.
