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.
They are opportunistic predators meaning that their diet generally reflects the fauna present in the area where they live and hunt. Unfortunately native birds well outnumber introduced birds in the diet of feral cats in most areas of the state. Domestic cats often continue to hunt, even when fed on a regular basis. This is because cats instinctively react to movement, particularly rapid jerky movements. The prey is often left uneaten and may be brought home.