Feeding Relationships and Ecosystems
Domestic cats are usually fed by humans, but usually still hunt and kill small rodents and birds. They can be used to control the numbers of mice and rats, but they can also eat robins, sparrows, and other birds. Cats are also fond of fish and chicken as well. Cats usually live in a temperate forest if stray or in an urban environment with their human caretaker. Due to their ability to adapt easily, cats have become very destructive to natural ecosystems already in place. They are usually either the secondary consumer or the tertiary consumer depending on what habitat they are in. If living with an owner, cats are usually tertiary and feed on small birds, cat food (which contains fish, chicken, and other meats) and maybe some vegetables. If stray, they might forage on whatever they can find that looks appetizing (cats are very picky), but can also be eaten by large raptors. Cats may eat grass, a producer, as well because it helps them digest other foods. Cats have a big impact on primary consumers because that is what they mainly eat and cats can cause an imbalance to a natural ecosystem. When one moves into a habitat and its main source of food is a sparrow, then the predators that already prey on the bird have new competition and food supply dwindles.
Symbiotic Relationships
Cats and Fleas: This is a parasitic relationship. The fleas latch onto a cat feed suck blood and can transmit other parasites like tapeworm to a cat. The flea benefits by obtaining food and laying their eggs on cats, but the cat is harmed although it is usually very minor. Fleas are very bothersome to cats and cause all sorts of problems.
Cats and Humans: This is a mutualistic relationship. Humans get love and affection from cats and cats receive free food and shelter. Cats can also offer companionship and entertainment to humans while humans maintain their health. To add to that, cats are beneficial to the health of humans and can even lower the risk of cancer.
Cats and Ear-mites: Cats and ear-mites have a parasitic relationship as well. Ear-mites infest a cat's ear and causes excessive itching and distress to a cat. If left untreated, cats can lose their hearing partially or completely. Cats are certainly hurt by them. Ear-mites on the other hand have suitable living areas and are able to thrive in the ears. They benefit by being able to reproduce and carry on their generation.
Cats and Humans: This is a mutualistic relationship. Humans get love and affection from cats and cats receive free food and shelter. Cats can also offer companionship and entertainment to humans while humans maintain their health. To add to that, cats are beneficial to the health of humans and can even lower the risk of cancer.
Cats and Ear-mites: Cats and ear-mites have a parasitic relationship as well. Ear-mites infest a cat's ear and causes excessive itching and distress to a cat. If left untreated, cats can lose their hearing partially or completely. Cats are certainly hurt by them. Ear-mites on the other hand have suitable living areas and are able to thrive in the ears. They benefit by being able to reproduce and carry on their generation.