Feral cats are domestic cats (Felis catus) that live without human dependence, surviving and reproducing in the wild. These felines are highly effective predators with powerful natural instincts. Feral cats unequivocally include rabbits in their diet, as rabbits are a common and often favored prey item across many environments. The predatory relationship between feral cats and rabbits significantly impacts wildlife populations wherever the two species coexist.
Yes, Feral Cats Actively Hunt Rabbits
Rabbits, particularly the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), are a documented and staple food source for feral cats in numerous regions worldwide. Studies show that feral cats often depend heavily on rabbit populations, making them a mainstay of their diet. This reliance can be so strong that a reduction in rabbit numbers directly impacts the cat population.
Feral cats are capable of taking down prey close to their own body size, including both young and adult rabbits. Young rabbits, known as kits, are especially vulnerable due to their small size. Research found that juvenile cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.) weighing less than 220 grams are highly susceptible to predation.
While adult rabbits present a larger challenge, feral cats successfully kill hares and full-grown rabbits. In areas where rabbits are abundant, such as Australia’s arid zones, they often comprise the bulk of the biomass consumed by feral cats.
How Feral Cats Successfully Catch Rabbits
The successful hunting of a fast-moving prey like a rabbit relies on the cat’s specialized predatory behaviors. Feral cats are solitary hunters that employ a classic ambush strategy, utilizing cover such as tall grass or bushes to remain undetected during their approach. They use a low-to-the-ground stalk, often freezing mid-movement, before launching a sudden pounce.
Cats are significantly more successful in open areas, where their success rate can be as high as 70%. This contrasts with complex vegetation, which offers the rabbit more refuge. Rabbits caught in the open are particularly at risk once a cat has initiated its attack.
The final act of the kill is a precise, instinctive maneuver that is highly effective on small to medium-sized mammals. The cat secures the rabbit with its claws and delivers a swift “killing bite” to the neck or the back of the head. The cat’s sharp canine teeth are perfectly spaced to slip between the vertebrae, severing the spinal cord for a near-instantaneous kill. This method minimizes the risk of injury from the rabbit’s powerful hind legs.
What Else Is On The Feral Cat Menu?
While rabbits are a major food source in certain habitats, the feral cat’s diet is highly flexible and opportunistic, adapting to what is most available locally. Feral cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their diet must consist primarily of meat to meet their specific nutritional requirements. This necessity drives them to hunt a wide array of small animals.
Rodents, such as mice and rats, are consistently among the most common items consumed, often hunted by cats waiting patiently outside burrows. Birds are also frequent targets, ranging from ground-nesting species to songbirds. The frequency of bird predation varies widely by location, and in some island or coastal environments, seabirds can become a significant part of the diet.
The menu also includes reptiles, such as lizards and snakes, and amphibians like frogs. Feral cats consume invertebrates, including insects, spiders, and centipedes, which contribute a measurable portion of their overall caloric intake. When natural prey is scarce, feral cats will scavenge human-associated food sources like garbage, unattended pet food, and carrion. The composition of their diet can change rapidly, a phenomenon known as “prey-switching,” such as when a drop in rabbit numbers causes them to shift their focus to other small native animals.