this post was submitted on 27 Jan 2024
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[–] RubberElectrons 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Friend, cool it with the pedagogy. If one understands the idea of ecosystems at multiple scales, it follows implicitly that one understands the systems are inherently dynamic.

The point still stands: we've got to understand the environs we've rapidly destabilized and do something to limit our negative influence. Ergo: keeping stupid cats indoors helps the stressed systems by reducing the load caused by a bored apex predator.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Oops I forgot my point in saying all that, which was that if cats have become naturalised to your local ecosystem, then removing them could make things worse. (And by the way, cats are not apex predators.)

[–] RubberElectrons 0 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

By the way, actually, an apex is also known as the summit or peak of a curve, which domestic cats can generally be considered as they are rarely (though not never) predated upon. Wasn't clear that you understood that, but now you do!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Cats are not apex predators. They have predators in both their natural range and some of their introduced ranges. Cats bury their poop (probably) so they don't broadcast their presence to any nearby predators.

[–] RubberElectrons 0 points 11 months ago

I'm glad you enjoy your opinion. It's not correct, but enjoy anyway!