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<p>European open habitats have experienced rapid declines in bird and mammal species over the last decades, largely due to agricultural intensification. While natural predators have received considerable attention, impacts of abundant free-ranging cats (<i>Felis catus)</i> remain poorly studied. Diet analyses are essential for assessing population impacts, yet traditional methods often lack taxonomic resolution. DNA metabarcoding overcomes these limitations by enabling species-level prey identification. We used DNA metabarcoding of 165 faecal samples to investigate the diet of free-ranging cats in open habitats on the mainland and an island in the Netherlands. 54 taxa were detected, and 28 were identified to species-level. Based on relative read abundance, the diet consisted primarily of small mammals (53%; predominantly common vole (<i>Microtus arvalis</i>)<i>,</i> field mice (<i>Apodemus</i> sp.)<i>,</i> greater white-toothed shrew (<i>Crocidura russula</i>). Birds accounted for 10%, including Dutch Red-List species meadow pipit (<i>Anthus pratensis</i>) and northern shoveler (<i>Spatula clypeata)</i>. Other Dutch Red-List species detected were European rabbit (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus)</i> and European hare (<i>Lepus europaeus</i>; 5%). Taxonomic composition varied seasonally, with more birds in spring (12%), more rodents in winter (71%) and more shrews in autumn (19%). On the mainland, 26% of the diet was cat food, compared to 5% on islands, where a higher number of species was found, particularly of birds. Our study provides new species-level insights into the broad diet of free-ranging cats in open habitats. It indicates predation on vulnerable mammal and bird species, suggesting population impacts, which highlights the need for management strategies such as restricted outdoor access or population control.</p>

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The diet of free-ranging cats in Dutch open habitats: a species-level insight

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月24日

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  • Esther Swankhuisen,
  • Gerrit Potkamp,
  • Yvonne I. Verkuil,
  • Iris M. Kromhout Van Der Meer,
  • Christiaan Both,
  • Christian Smit

摘要

European open habitats have experienced rapid declines in bird and mammal species over the last decades, largely due to agricultural intensification. While natural predators have received considerable attention, impacts of abundant free-ranging cats (Felis catus) remain poorly studied. Diet analyses are essential for assessing population impacts, yet traditional methods often lack taxonomic resolution. DNA metabarcoding overcomes these limitations by enabling species-level prey identification. We used DNA metabarcoding of 165 faecal samples to investigate the diet of free-ranging cats in open habitats on the mainland and an island in the Netherlands. 54 taxa were detected, and 28 were identified to species-level. Based on relative read abundance, the diet consisted primarily of small mammals (53%; predominantly common vole (Microtus arvalis), field mice (Apodemus sp.), greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula). Birds accounted for 10%, including Dutch Red-List species meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis) and northern shoveler (Spatula clypeata). Other Dutch Red-List species detected were European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and European hare (Lepus europaeus; 5%). Taxonomic composition varied seasonally, with more birds in spring (12%), more rodents in winter (71%) and more shrews in autumn (19%). On the mainland, 26% of the diet was cat food, compared to 5% on islands, where a higher number of species was found, particularly of birds. Our study provides new species-level insights into the broad diet of free-ranging cats in open habitats. It indicates predation on vulnerable mammal and bird species, suggesting population impacts, which highlights the need for management strategies such as restricted outdoor access or population control.