Feral cats (Felis catus) as predators of hatchling green turtles (Chelonia mydas)

Abstract

In many parts of the world feral animals have been reported to have severe effects on marine turtle hatchling production. In this study, green turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchlings were shown to be an important component of the diet of the feral cat (Felis catus) on Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles, and feral cat activity in the coastal areas was found to be concentrated on the beaches used most intensively by turtles for nesting. The impact of the feral cat's predation on green turtle recruitment could not be determined. However, despite cat predation, the size of the Aldabran green turtle nesting population has increased considerably since human exploitation ceased.