When they snuggle up next to you on the couch and you see their big, round eyes and little button nose, it's hard to see the face of a killer—but don't be fooled. Cats have been blamed for wiping out entire species!
If you've ever heard the term "feral cat" and just assumed it was some crazy, homeless cat that is foaming at the mouth and out looking to claw another face—you aren't too far off. Feral cats are cats that were once domesticated but have since returned to the wild. Their offspring, born and raised in the wild, are considered feral as well.
Cats become feral by being left behind by travelers in areas to which they are not indigenous, putting the local environment at risk as they prey on what lives there. A recent study found feral cats are the top threat to US wildlife, killing 3.7 billion birds and 20.7 billion mammals annually. It is believed that stray and feral cats are responsible for the extinction of 33 different species!
Next time you're watching cute cat videos on YouTube, just remember what little monsters they can be!
