Feral cats (Felis catus L.) on New Zealand farmland, 1. Home range
1991
Langham, N.P.E. | Porter, R.E.R. (DSIR Land Resources, Havelock North (New Zealand))
Movements were monitored on New Zealand farmland over 3 years by means of radiotelemetry. The number of resident males on the 5.2 sq km study area varied from 5 to 9, averaging 1.34 per sq km, compared with 10-13 females, averaging 2.19 per sq km. The average density over 3 years was 3.47 cats per sq km. The nocturnal home range was significantly larger than the diurnal home range in both sexes. Adult females' home ranges overlapped considerably; adult males tended to occupy exclusive home ranges or territories with little overlap, but including those of several females. Females showed no consistent change in home-range size with season, although those breeding in barns had larger home ranges in summer. Adult males had larger territories in summer and winter. Dispersing subadult males had a similar home range to adult males. Death or disappearance of a dominant male allowed new males to occupy the vacated territory. Two subadults were tracked by day until they became adult and acquired territories within the study area.
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