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→Relationship with Human Activity
==Relationship with Human Activity==
==Relationship with Human Activity==
The activity of domestic cats is also significantly influenced by human activity. In conditions that more closely resemble an average domestic environment, cats that were more closely involved with their owners showed greater levels of activity during daylight<ref>Piccione, G., Marafioti, S., Giannetto, C., Panzera, M., Fazio, F., (2013) Daily rhythm of total activity pattern in domestic
cats (''Felis silvestris catus'') maintained in two different housing conditions. ''Journal of Veterinary Behavior.'' ePub online.</ref>. Given that man-made lighting, including light pollution, maintains the outdoor environment in towns and cities at a constant level of illumination that resembles the crepuscular period, many cats are exposed to a distorted photoperiod that does not favour proper entrainment and is likely to favour more idiosyncratic patterns of behaviour <font color="red">examples</font>. For many generations domestic cats have been exposed to a different set of selection pressures related to photoperiodicity of behaviour and the availability of prey. In these altered environmental conditions cats which continued to follow a traditional feline pattern of proper entrainment, i.e. greater levels of activity during the twilight period would have a much lower survival value.
For many generations domestic cats have been exposed to a different set of selection pressures related to photoperiodicity of behaviour, the availability of prey and the presence of humans. In these altered environmental conditions cats which continued to follow a pattern of entrainment with greater levels of activity during the twilight period might have have been at a survival disadvantage.
The activity of domestic cats is also significantly influenced by human activity. In conditions that more closely resemble an average domestic environment, cats that were more closely involved with their owners showed greater levels of activity during daylight<ref>Piccione, G., Marafioti, S., Giannetto, C., Panzera, M., Fazio, F., (2013) Daily rhythm of total activity pattern in domestic
cats (''Felis silvestris catus'') maintained in two different housing conditions. ''Journal of Veterinary Behavior.'' ePub online.</ref>.
Man-made lighting, including light pollution, maintains a constant level of illumination in urban areas that is similar to the crepuscular period. This means that urban cats, and their prey, are exposed to a distorted photoperiod that does not favour proper entrainment. This could lead to alterations of activity patterns, particularly hunting and territorial behaviour. It could also influence prey behaviour and hunting success in urban cats.
==References==
==References==
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