Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I thought I would share this experience with you guys. This week on 11-27, most of the family was over visitng and all the good stuff. As always I closed the door to the room were Lenny & jewels cage is in, because there are 4 cats in the house. That night after most of the family left I went to my room to get ready for bed. When I looked in on Lenny & Jewels sleeping in there cage peacefully I found little cat tracks INSIDE the cage. My heart stopped when I saw that. I immediately took Jewels & Lenny out (they were not too happy to be woke up either) & looked them over for any injuries. Luckily they were fine I could not find any scratches or bites. My guess is that one of the kids came up stairs & pulled the lid back on the cage just enough for one of the younger cats to squeeze in. Then they left the room & did not close the door. Thankfully the cats were curious not hungry.

Lance

That pretty much happened to me except the cat was still sitting in the cage with Spike. Luckily that one cat is too curious and very nice and the only one that would go after Spike has no interest in him. Cats, what'll ya do.
Matt

Yes, I am screaming. Two things that everyone should understand is that 1) cats are pedators and 2) beardies are prey. Is there anyone that doesn't understand what this means? Unless your cat is physically unable, it will some day go after your bearded or other reptiles. It is instinct, cat's can't help it and it's your fault if you don't prevent it. Can't be said any simpler than that. Prey drive, that inward drive the cat has to hunt and kill, is always there. It just takes a little more for some cats than others to act on it, but they eventually do.

Thanks spook but I knew that already. I under stand that I got lucky this time & hopefully others will read & learn from this. That is why the cages should have secure tops & doors that lead to the room should be closed if possible.

Lance

There is some cats that I will refer to as genetically challenged.
They do not seem to be genetically prepared to be cats.
One such breed that I have noticed is Persians. The flat
nosed veriety. Maybe they do not have the smell a vision
that is required to be hunters. But the ones
I have known are not hunters.
Now Manx is anothe story. They are full of hunting skills
The ones I have known hunt, And not just for food. But for
fun.
Some cats seem to be genetically bred for hunting birds
Others for lizards/snakes. And others for mice/rats.
For some reason. They do have a preferance/interest or lack
of interest in different prey.
I am not saying that you should not protect your beardeds.
It was just a point of interest to me that I thought I would share.

about differences in cats: well stated! cats can have a *VERY* wide range of "Personalities" as I have had several from when I was a kid.... some are total hunters and some cvan be lazy as an old hound dog

and yes; they do have the genes of a hunter; and it can and will show up in most cats.

When I was about 22 I took in a black tom cat that has been abused; he was really a nice cat as long as he felt safe. but if you made any sudden move, or tryied to handle him when he did not want to be touched ... watch OUT! he was VERY STRONG and fast. from that I will say that a cat if it wanted to or needed to could do some nasty damage to anything it tangles with.
I do not think most folks really ever know how strong and sharp a cats claws and teeth can be! I do know after caring for that cat... we called him "psycho" due to his unperdicable reactions at times.
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Lance, this was not directed at you. It was for the community. I'm glad you were willing to share this.