Home range and movements of feral cats on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i

Pacific Conservation Biology
By: , and 

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Abstract

Feral cats Felis catus in dry subalpine woodland of Mauna Kea, Hawai?i, live in low density and exhibit some of the largest reported home ranges in the literature. While 95% fixed kernel home range estimates for three females averaged 772 ha, four males averaged 1 418 ha, and one male maintained a home range of 2 050 ha. Mean daily movement rates between sexes overlapped widely and did not differ significantly (P = 0.083). Log-transformed 95% kernel home ranges for males were significantly larger than those of females (P = 0.024), but 25% kernel home ranges for females were larger than those of males (P = 0.017). Moreover, log-transformed home ranges of males were also significantly larger than those of females in this and seven other studies from the Pacific region (P = 0.044). Feral cats present a major threat to endangered Hawaiian birds, but knowledge of their ecology can be used for management by optimizing trap spacing and creating buffer zones around conservation areas.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Home range and movements of feral cats on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i
Series title Pacific Conservation Biology
DOI 10.1071/pc080177
Volume 14
Issue 3
Year Published 2008
Language English
Publisher Csiro Publishing
Description 8 p.
First page 177
Last page 184
Country United States
State Hawaii
Other Geospatial Mauna Kea
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