| The extent to which female cats will defend their home range relates to the abundance of food resources. Studies by Foley et al (2005)<ref>Foley, P., Foley, J. E., Levy, J. K., Paik, T. (2005) Analysis of the impact of trap-neuter-return programs on populations of feral cats. ''Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association''. 227(11), 1775-1781.</ref> and Driscoll et al (2009)<ref>Driscoll, C. A., Macdonald, D.W., O'Brien, S.J., (2009). From wild animals to domestic pets, an evolutionary view of domestication. ''Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.'' 106(1), 9971-9978.</ref> indicate that cats defended their territories, whilst a study by Corbett (1979)<ref>Corbett, L.K. (1979) Feeding ecology and social organization of wild cats (''Felis silvestris'') and domestic cats (''Felis catus'') in Scotland. PhD thesis, University of Aberdeen, Scotland.</ref> identified a lack of competition between cats due to the reliable excess of food in the abandoned farms on the Scottish islands where the study took place. | | The extent to which female cats will defend their home range relates to the abundance of food resources. Studies by Foley et al (2005)<ref>Foley, P., Foley, J. E., Levy, J. K., Paik, T. (2005) Analysis of the impact of trap-neuter-return programs on populations of feral cats. ''Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association''. 227(11), 1775-1781.</ref> and Driscoll et al (2009)<ref>Driscoll, C. A., Macdonald, D.W., O'Brien, S.J., (2009). From wild animals to domestic pets, an evolutionary view of domestication. ''Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.'' 106(1), 9971-9978.</ref> indicate that cats defended their territories, whilst a study by Corbett (1979)<ref>Corbett, L.K. (1979) Feeding ecology and social organization of wild cats (''Felis silvestris'') and domestic cats (''Felis catus'') in Scotland. PhD thesis, University of Aberdeen, Scotland.</ref> identified a lack of competition between cats due to the reliable excess of food in the abandoned farms on the Scottish islands where the study took place. |
− | Conflict is avoided by the use of [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Olfactory communication|scent marks]] and cats following strict timetables for their movements around their territories. [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|Urine spray marks]] provide information about the time of day the area is being used and [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Claw Marks|claw marks]] are used to indicate firmer territorial boundaries that discourage the presence of non-resident cats. | + | Conflict is avoided by the use of [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Olfactory communication|scent marks]] and cats following strict timetables for their movements around their territories. [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|Urine spray marks]] provide information about the time of day the area is being used and [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Claw Marks|claw marks]] are used to indicate firmer territorial boundaries that discourage the presence of non-resident cats. |
− | Scent marks are not only a signal to other cats, but also carry meaning for the depositor. In the core territory, cats are more likely to be in a parasympathetic state of arousal, in preparation for activities such as resting, feeding and grooming. Outside the core territory, some degree of sympathetic arousal is always required, as the individual is either vulnerable or engaged in hunting. Facial and flank marks may provide a chemical signal to the cat that favours a parasympathetic state in all individuals that are present, reducing the likelihood of conflict in colonies where several cats share a common core territory.
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