Changes

==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. 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. The two predominant strategies, "stalking" and "sit-and-wait", share the common feature of stealth;  the cat attempts to get close enough to its prey that it can make a final brief lunging attack at 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 regularly use '''specific hunting locations''' where they have experienced 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 their already established strategies for catching prey, rather than the discovery of new hunting sites or opportunistic exploitation of unexpected hunting opportunities. Hunting opportunities are time sensitive, due to the activity patterns of prey, but 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 [[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.

At a hunting location the cat will systematically survey the area i search of evidence for 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 also '''activated by the movement '''of anything within the cat's field of vision that is around the correct prey size.

'''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.

'''Sit-and-wait''' is the primary strategy for hunting rodents; once a cat finds an area where there are signs of prey, such as the scent of rodent urine close to a hole, it will then withdraw to a distance 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 prepare hind leg muscles to deliver maximum output 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.

'''Stalking behaviour''' uses the cover of plants and bushes to move closer to prey, such as birds, that are more mobile and not tied to a burrow or shelter location. Cats will also predate young birds in the nest, dig moles out of their burrows and ambush young rabbits as they leave their burrows. However, the rate of predation of larger species, such as rabbits and squirrels is low in domesticated pet cats compared to the rate of predation of rodents and birds.

'''Stalking behaviour''' uses the cover of plants and bushes to move closer to prey, such as birds, that are more mobile and not tied to a burrow or shelter location. Cats will also predate young birds in the nest, dig moles out of their burrows and ambush young rabbits as they leave their burrows. However, the rate of predation of larger species, such as rabbits and squirrels, is low in domesticated pet cats compared with the rate of predation of rodents and birds.

==Feeding and Elimination==

==Feeding and Elimination==