Effects of landscape cover and yard features on feral and free-roaming cat (<i>Felis catus</i>) distribution, abundance and activity patterns in a suburban area

Abstract Feral and free-roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) are invasive predators throughout the world. In some areas, occur in higher densities than native mammalian can have severe effects upon prey populations. We set 48 wildlife game cameras residential yards Arkansas, USA, to evaluate which landscape yard features influenced cat abundance occurring yards. addition, we quantified daily activity patterns of explored how habitat or predator timing activity. found that were present 70.8% with an average three recognizable individuals per yard. Abundance was all mesopredators except for raccoon (Procyon lotor) Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Cat minimum population decreased when forest cover high within 400 m camera. Cats active at times day but tended be more diurnal areas closer city centers agricultural settings. Conversely, nocturnal later summer had levels Our results indicate widespread this region their relative is driven by features, possibly due large home ranges. may alter better coexist predators. Alteration unlikely effective deterrent direct control measures necessary.