Abstract/Summary

Domestic cats (Felis catus) are efficient hunters and kill large numbers of prey. Since they can attain very high population densities, they pose a great threat to biodiversity. Humans have lived in close association with cats in various forms, both feral and domestic, for a long period and different cultural beliefs and myths associated with cats have developed over time. Our understanding of cat hunting behaviour and people’s attitudes of people is almost completely based on studies from the wealthier parts of the world (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand), with no studies taking place through much of Africa or the wider tropics. To fill this knowledge gap, I a) conducted studies of attitudes of people from Nigeria towards cats, and later contrast them with attitudes held by people from the UK, or those who have migrated to either country, and b) I survey cat population densities, cat ranging behaviour, and cat predation rates in four areas of Lagos. This study finds an interesting duality in attitudes of Nigerians towards cats as pet cats are generally considered with some affection, but I find effects of deep-rooted myths, with negative views of cats as being associated with magic, and there is high acceptability of eating cat meat. These views were not held by people from the UK. For some traits evidence of a change in strength of views as people migrate, becoming closer to local views. Both countries show positive attitudes towards methods for mitigating cat predation. Densities of cats in the megacity of Lagos estimated from house-to-house surveys and line transect methods were 84-125 cats/km2 and 196-294 cats/km2 respectively. For owned cats this is at the lower end of estimates from published studies, largely from the global north. The cat population for Lagos (1171 km2 ) is estimated to be in the range of 122,143-286,538 cats. The ranging behaviour of pet cats in Lagos was seen to be affected time of day (larger at night), cat sex (males roam further), and season (larger ranges in the dry season). The absolute mean maximum daily area ranged by a cat was 13.18 ha and home range (95% KDE) varied from 0.07 ha to 10.40 ha, similar to other published studies. Estimated predation rates were higher in dry seasons, with the mean daily predation rates for the dry and wet seasons being 1.32 and 1.05 respectively. The mean annual predation rate of 412 prey/cat/year is high compared to previous studies and estimates of annual mortality caused by free-ranging domestic cats in Lagos is in the range of 50.3m-117.7m prey. Male cats killed more, and overall mammals are the most frequently returned prey, followed by birds, reptiles, invertebrates, and amphibians in rank order; prey types are like those recorded in other studies. Together, these studies present the first steps in understanding the interplay between cats, their owners and the public as we consider the role of cats as urban predators.