How do cats catch rats? - briefly
Cats stalk, pounce, and grasp rats with sharp claws, using acute hearing and night vision to locate prey. They typically deliver a swift bite to the neck to immobilize the animal.
How do cats catch rats? - in detail
Cats rely on acute sensory systems, precise motor coordination, and specialized anatomy to capture rats. Their hunting sequence can be divided into detection, approach, capture, and kill.
Detection begins with auditory and visual cues. Cats possess a hearing range up to 64 kHz, allowing them to locate the high‑frequency squeaks of rodents. Their eyes detect motion in low light, aided by a high density of rod cells and a tapetum lucidum that reflects light back onto the retina. Vibrissae (whiskers) sense air currents and surface textures, alerting the cat to a rat’s presence even when visual contact is limited.
During the approach, cats adopt a low, crouched posture to minimize silhouette and reduce noise. Muscles in the hind limbs store elastic energy, preparing for a rapid extension. The spine flexes and extends in a fluid motion, enabling a burst of speed up to 30 mph over short distances. This stealthy advance often incorporates lateral pauses to align the body directly behind the prey.
Capture relies on precise timing and grip. When within 0.5 m, the cat launches forward, extending forepaws equipped with retractable claws. The claws penetrate the rat’s fur and skin, securing a hold on the torso or hind limbs. Simultaneously, the cat’s jaws close on the neck, positioning the incisors to deliver a crushing bite that severs the spinal cord or severs the trachea, causing rapid incapacitation.
The kill phase typically involves a bite to the cervical vertebrae. The cat’s canine teeth exert pressure exceeding 100 psi, sufficient to fracture the vertebral column. In some instances, a swift bite to the throat induces hemorrhage, leading to quick death. After the prey is immobilized, the cat may dismember it with its paws before consumption.
Environmental factors influence success rates. Rats are nocturnal and adept at navigating narrow burrows; cats compensate by using flexible bodies to follow into confined spaces. In open areas, cats rely on speed and surprise, while in cluttered environments they exploit cover and vertical surfaces to gain a positional advantage.
Key components of the predatory process:
- Sensory input: high‑frequency hearing, low‑light vision, whisker tactile feedback.
- Stealth locomotion: crouched posture, low‑noise movement, rapid acceleration.
- Physical tools: retractable claws for grip, powerful forelimbs, strong canine teeth for lethal bite.
- Killing technique: cervical bite delivering spinal disruption or throat severing.
- Adaptability: ability to hunt in burrows, open fields, and cluttered spaces.
Understanding these mechanisms explains why cats are effective rat predators across varied habitats.