Characteristics of stray cat populations in Penza

Abstract

Background. For the first time, the stray cats populations on the territory of Penza were studied and complex relationships of stray animals populations were shown. The purpose of this work is to study the population and group structure, distribution features, levels of socialization of stray cats, as well as their role in the urban environment and to identify ways to solve the problem of human relationships with wild and homeless mammals, as well as between homeless and wild representatives of this group of animals. Materials and methods. The study of stray cats populations was carried out simultaneously with the studies of stray dogs in 2003–2009 and 2018–2023, which allowed us to identify some features of the relationship between these two predators in the conditions of the city of Penza. The studies were conducted at 10 sites with a total area of 114.54 km2, which corresponds to about 30% of the total area of the urban area. At each site, 6 biotopes were allocated, in which the density of animals was calculated. Multiple cumulative accounting was carried out on each accounting platform. Results. In Penza, 1,130 stray dogs and 2,234 stray cats were counted in the period from 2003 to 2009 and 772 individuals in the period from 2018 to 2022. The highest density of homeless cats in 2003-2009 was in the city Center (61.3 wasps/km2), the lowest was in the Barkovka area (4.5 wasps/km2). The most preferred biotopes for cats are the old town, institutions and points of trade; for dogs, the industrial zone and construction areas, as well as institutions and points of trade. The highest number of stray cats in 2018–2023 is in Arbekovo (229 wasps), the smallest is in the Akhuna area (11 wasps). The most preferred biotopes for cats are the old town, institutions and retail utlets (2003–2009) and the area with multi–storey buildings (2018–2022). Arbekovo district is the most numerous in terms of homeless animals population. The smallest number of stray dogs was noted in the area of Krivozerye. The highest average value of their population density is in the City Center area, the lowest is in the Barkovka area. Conclusions. Stray dogs and cats have differences in the strategy of eating behavior: freeloading is typical for cats, for dogs – gathering. Stray cats are more attached to human habitation than stray dogs. Differences in the specific life strategies of stray dogs and cats are clearly manifested in the seasonal dynamics of their numbers and the degree of settlement in urbanized landscapes.

Keywords

• stray cats
• population size
• urban biotopes