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==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Cats have often been mistakenly characterised as solitary animals as a result of their depiction in popular literature, and due to the results of early studies of cat behaviour. This is a false perception that has persisted in the popular imagination. Whilst they do use [[distance-maintaining behaviour]] to avoid direct conflict with each other, the importance of social interaction in this species is clear from the presence of specific distance decreasing and [[affiliative behaviours]].

Cats have often been mistakenly characterised as solitary animals as a result of their depiction in popular literature, and due to the results of early studies of cat behaviour. This is a false perception that has persisted in the popular imagination. Whilst they do use [[distance-maintaining behaviour]] to avoid direct conflict with each other, the importance of social interaction in this species is clear from the presence of specific distance decreasing and [[affiliative behaviours]].

These groups of females form in areas where food and shelter resources are abundant, but '''group members still continue to act independently of one another'''. Unlike some species in which females are hostile to the offspring of conspecifics, nursing queens seem to show little discrimination when caregiving to kittens; they will feed and groom any kitten that approaches them<ref>Ohkawa, N. and T. Hidaka. 1987. Communal nursing in the domestic cat, ''Felis catus''. ''Journal of Ethology'' 5(2): 173-183.</ref>. This adaptation provides the basis for the formation of female social groups, as it enables kittens to be protected and cared for by members of the group whilst others are hunting. Even so, the '''only sharing of food between cats is between mothers and their kittens'''; meals are not shared between adult females.

These groups of females form in areas where food and shelter resources are abundant, but '''group members still continue to act independently of one another'''. Unlike some species in which females are hostile to the offspring of conspecifics, nursing queens seem to show little discrimination when caregiving to kittens; they will feed and groom any kitten that approaches them<ref>Ohkawa, N. and T. Hidaka. 1987. Communal nursing in the domestic cat, ''Felis catus''. ''Journal of Ethology'' 5(2): 173-183.</ref>. This adaptation provides the basis for the formation of female social groups, as it enables kittens to be protected and cared for by members of the group whilst others are hunting. Even so, the '''only sharing of food between cats is between mothers and their kittens'''; meals are not shared between adult females.

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==Social Group Formation==

Until they are completely weaned and able to catch and kill their own prey, kittens are not a source of competition for resources with adult cats, because their nutritional requirements are met by the mother. Once young cats become fully independent, they do become potential competitors for food and shelter resources. If these are not sufficiently abundant then females may leave the group.  

Until they are completely weaned and able to catch and kill their own prey, kittens are not a source of competition for resources with adult cats, because their nutritional requirements are met by the mother. Once young cats become fully independent, they do become potential competitors for food and shelter resources. If these are not sufficiently abundant then females may leave the group.  

Neutering has an effect on the social behaviour of male cats, reducing their territory size and the level of inter-male conflict. This is observed in large suburban cat colonies in which neutered males participate equally with females.

Neutering has an effect on the social behaviour of male cats, reducing their territory size and the level of inter-male conflict. This is observed in large suburban cat colonies in which neutered males participate equally with females.

==References==

==References==