Some of these cats escaped or were abandoned and a feral population became established. Feral cats are now widespread throughout the state with sightings occurring in such remote areas as southwest Tasmania and the central highlands. The cat is a carnivorous mammal and is very well adapted to hunting small mammals and birds. Being largely nocturnal hunters, cats may travel for several kilometres at night in search of prey.
Cats have excellent eyesight, hearing and sense of smell.
They can detect the smallest movement and can hear the scratching of a mouse many metres away. Cats can also find their prey just by following the scent trail left by small animals as they move along the ground. They are also very able climbers. All of these features together with four sets of retractable claws, and teeth adapted for gripping, tearing and shearing, make the cat a formidable hunter. Feral cats prefer live prey but do occasionally scavenge carrion or human food scraps.