Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747:reg:4:p15
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 15/80)
Character Range: 44455–47296

for an average of 3–7 years. Males begin breeding at 1 to 2 years of age. Females usually reach sexual maturity in their first year. They are seasonally polyoestrous, coming into breeding condition with increasing daylength (i.e. during 'spring'), and then having oestrus cycles continuously until they achieve pregnancy. During oestrus, female cats are induced ovulators, releasing eggs in response to mating. The length of the breeding season is short in areas with harsh winters but can extend to 9-10 months in areas with milder conditions. Pregnancy lasts 2 months, and kittens reach independence after about 6 months of age. Female cats usually produce 1 to 2 litters, each of 3 to 5 kittens, per year; but more litters, and larger litters, are possible.

For further information and referenced sources, refer to section 3.3 of the background document.

     3.3 Cat distribution and abundance

Cats were introduced to Australia from 1788. They spread rapidly across the continent, and now occupy 99.9% of Australia's land area, in habitats as diverse as tropical rainforests, alpine environments and the driest deserts. They are present across all tenures, including protected areas. They are absent only from fenced areas built specifically to exclude cats (and foxes), and from some islands.

The population of pet cats in Australia is relatively easily monitored and is reported regularly. Populations of feral cats are not so straightforward to estimate or monitor. However, as a result of a large body of research guided by previous threat abatement plans, Australia has one of the most robust estimates for the cat population size compared to other countries in the world. Using 91 independent estimates of feral cat densities from around the country, a model for spatial variation in density indicates that the feral cat population fluctuates from 1.4 million (95% confidence intervals 1.0 to 2.2 million) when rainfall in the arid and semi-arid zones is low to 5.6 million (95% confidence intervals 2.5 to 10.9 million) when rainfall in those zones is high, and prey populations are therefore also high. In addition, there are over 0.7 million feral cats in heavily modified habitats, and 5.3 million pet cats (2022 estimate).

For further information and referenced sources, refer to section 3.2 of the background document.

     4 Cat impacts

Section 4 provides a brief overview of impacts of cats, and which native species are most adversely affected. Refer to section 4 of the background document and relevant appendices for further information and referenced sources.

     4.1 Predation

Cats are one of the world's most invasive species, having reached every continent (including Antarctica, as pets) and many islands. They have been the primary or a major cause of over a quarter of the world's bird, reptile and