Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Pensive Tuesday: Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time

This week is a wrap-up for the school year, with many final projects and final exams coming due, so I cannot write a complete and thoughtful post. I can, however, say that I've been doing more research into invasive plant species, and the crucial role that viruses, parasites, and bacteria can play in the evolution of plant species and changes in ecosystems. You know, just some light reading....

When it comes to invasives, I can't help but think of one of my favorite mammals, the cat:

Cat Mask, MR (papier mache')

Did you know that some folk are trying to ban kitties from New Zealand? Yes, I mean from the whole country. Cats are hunting and eating too many of the native species, even when their bellies are full of yummy kitty chow. It seems when it comes to the non-native species we humans introduce, the phrase that comes to mind many years down the line is, "It seemed like a good idea at the time...."

I still love cats, though.




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  1. AzarMay 22, 2013 at 7:45 AM

    The NZ ban on cats brings to mind a "penalty card" from The Great American Bird Watching Trivia Game. "You let your cat wander outside and it kills a Boreal Chickadee. Move back two spaces. (once you have moved your turn is over)

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    1. UnknownMay 22, 2013 at 12:52 PM

      Haha! Yes, it's a real dilemma. Some say the best solution (and our community has the same problem here on our sand dune) is to keep cats indoors. But they become kind of neurotic if they can't go outside and hunt. So you have to play lots of hunting games with them inside. It works, if you have the time and energy. My last kitty was a white Persian who had to stay inside, or the enormous native owls or coyotes would eat her for dinner. We played "hunt the rat" in the living room a lot! It's a real commitment for sure....

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