Changes

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 [[scent marks]] and cats following strict timetables for their movements around their territories. [[Urine spray marks]] provide a signal between cats that a particular area is likely to be in use by different individuals at certain times of day. The degradation of a urine mark over time provides other cats with an indication of when the depositor was last in that location. With regular re-marking, this provides cats with a geographical and temporal map that enables them to pass through an area without encountering one another. [[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.  

''Apart from providing other cats with information about ownership and usage of territory, scent marks also convey information about the identity of the depositor, its sex, health and reproductive status. This enables more complex social organisation than merely avoidance, with cats choosing to avoid an area or attempt to gain control of it, depending on the threat posed by the current resident and the need to gain access to the resources included in that area.  

''Apart from providing other cats with information about ownership and usage of territory, scent marks also convey information about the identity of the depositor, its sex, health and reproductive status. This enables more complex social organisation than merely avoidance, with cats choosing to avoid an area or attempt to gain control of it, depending on the threat posed by the current resident and the need to gain access to the resources included in that area.