The mascots of our homes and streets, whether you see cats as useless creatures, or simply fall in love with their slumber; Of course, cats also have the potential to change things in the world.
Scientists agree that our planet will rapidly deteriorate if cats, who are not the world’s hardest-working animals, are all wiped out at once.
If there were no cats, we would have less food.
Formerly tasked with exterminating vermin and rats, even on ships, cats are vital to keeping populations of these creatures under control. Cats that kill mice and rats in barns and grain storage areas have a substantial impact on grain levels.
If there are no cats and the rodent and bird population increases (which would be in a scenario without cats), seeds and nuts; It is consumed so much by the animals that cats prey that grass, trees and wildflowers stop growing.
The population of other animals increases considerably.
In a study conducted in England, it was seen that an average house cat brings home more than 11 dead animals (mouse, bird, frog, rabbit, insect, etc.) within 6 months. This meant that 9 million cats in the UK killed close to 200 million animals a year. Moreover, this number includes only those who bring their prey home.
Also, in another study on an island in New Zealand, cats were completely wiped out from a small island and the local mouse population quadrupled very quickly.
The increase in rodents after the extinction of cats also triggers a host of other ecological effects.
In the study in New Zealand, which we just mentioned, it was observed that the population of seabirds decreased as the number of mice increased. So if all the cats on Earth disappeared, seabirds would be endangered and the population of non-cat predators would increase.
Epidemics occur.
In a scenario without cats, increased bird and mouse populations lead to epidemics. If you remember, this is how the plague broke out. You may be saying, “We have drugs now,” but we don’t yet have drugs developed to treat diseases like hantavirus.
We should not forget the emotional effects on us.
Many researches done so far; proved the positive effect of contact with a cat on psychology and health. In fact, if we give a substantial amount of data; Cat owners are 30% less likely to die from a heart attack. It even has serious effects on the secretion of our happiness hormone!
So can you imagine how boring the Earth would be if all the cats on Earth disappeared? Only funny and cute cat videos are proof that we can’t imagine life without them…
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