Details of this species in Turks and Caicos Islands Status: Alien
Invasiveness: Invasive
Occurrence: Established
Source: Kairo et al. 2003 Arrival Date:
Introduction: Species Notes for this Location:
Cats are present on all islands of Turks and Caicos. They were introduced to some islands in the Turks and Caicos by builders and other workers. People on some islands still release live-trapped feral cats onto uninhabited islands (Varnham 2006). Management Notes for this Location:
Impacts:
Threat to endangered species: Cats prey on the Turks and Caicos rock iguana (see Cyclura carinata in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) (Varnham 2006). Iverson (1978, 1979, in Gerber and Iverson Undated) documented the near-extirpation of a population of over 5,000 adult iguanas from Pine Cay (3.9km2) in just three years as a result of predation by feral cats and dogs. In 1995, iguanas were found on only five of 26 islands with cats or livestock (G. Gerber and M. Welch, Unpub. Data, in Gerber and Iverson Undated). Cats on the islands also prey on native reptiles and birds (Varnham 2006). Last Modified: 14/10/2004 3:08:06 p.m.
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