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==Hunting Strategies==

==Hunting Strategies==

Cats employ a variety of strategies when hunting, which are refined through experience. Two approaches predominate; stalking and sit-and-wait. '''Sit-and-wait''' is the primary strategy for hunting rodents. These share the common features that they employ stealth and enable the cat to get close enough to its prey that it can make a final brief attack from close range.  

Cats employ a variety of strategies when hunting, which are refined through experience. Two approaches predominate; stalking and sit-and-wait. These share the common features that they employ stealth and enable the cat to get close enough to its prey that it can make a final brief attack from close range.  

Cats appear to identify specific hunting locations where they anticipate a higher probability of encountering vulnerable prey. They move speedily between these locations, rarely deviating to take up unanticipated hunting opportunities. This implies that during an active period of hunting, cats prioritise the catching of prey, rather than the finding new hunting sites. This would make sense, since actual hunting opportunities are time sensitive due to the activity patterns of prey, where as information about potential future hunting sites is available all the time.

Cats appear to identify '''specific hunting locations''' where they anticipate a '''higher probability of encountering vulnerable prey'''. They move speedily between these locations, rarely deviating to take up unanticipated hunting opportunities. This implies that during an active period of hunting, cats prioritise the catching of prey, rather than the finding new hunting sites. This would make sense, since actual hunting opportunities are time sensitive due to the activity patterns of prey, where as information about potential future hunting sites is available all the time.

At a hunting location the cat will survey the area systematically searching for evidence of the presence of prey. The cat’s hearing extends into the ultrasound, not only enabling the cat to detect scratching sounds and vocalisations of rodents but also to precisely locate prey using hearing alone. When such sounds are heard, active prey seeking is activated. Hunting is activated by movement of anything of around the correct prey size within the cat’s field of vision.

At a hunting location the cat will survey the area systematically searching for evidence of the presence of prey. The '''cat’s [[Ear - Anatomy & Physiology#Function - Hearing|hearing]] extends into the ultrasound''', not only enabling the cat to detect scratching sounds and vocalisations of rodents but also to precisely locate prey using hearing alone. When such sounds are heard, active prey seeking is activated. Hunting is '''activated by movement '''of anything of around the correct prey size within the cat’s field of vision.

Once the cat finds an area where there are signs of prey, such as the scent of rodent urine close to a hole, then it will withdraw to a distance or area of cover and wait. An attack occurs when prey moves into an open space away from a position of safety, and the cat judges that it will be able to mount a successful attack. During the last phase of a waiting period before an attack, the cat may perform paddling behaviour with its rear feet, which may function to prepare hind leg muscles to deliver maximum out put during a dash and pounce.

'''Sit-and-wait''' is the primary strategy for hunting rodents. Once the cat finds an area where there are signs of prey, such as the scent of rodent urine close to a hole, then it will withdraw to a distance or area of cover and wait. An attack occurs when prey moves into an open space away from a position of safety, and the cat judges that it will be able to mount a successful attack. During the last phase of a waiting period before an attack, the cat may perform paddling behaviour with its rear feet, which may function to prepare hind leg muscles to deliver maximum out put during a dash and pounce.

If the attack is unsuccessful, then the cat will return to cover or explore the hunting area for another opportunity. If unsuccessful on several occasions, or no further opportunities are detected, then the cat will move on to another hunting area.

If the attack is unsuccessful, then the cat will return to cover or explore the hunting area for another opportunity. If unsuccessful on several occasions, or no further opportunities are detected, then the cat will move on to another hunting area.