What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a killer cat? Chances are that it’s a lion, tiger or even panther. Well, none of these famous predators come remotely-close to the Black Footed Cat, a tiny feline that is one of the most successful and efficient mammalian hunters in the world. It’s also one of the smallest, and it goes to show that you don’t need to be the biggest or strongest hunter to beat out the competition, you just need to be smart as you work with what you have.
Skilled Hunter
The Black Footed Cat’s hunting abilities are second-to-none. Not only does it have extraordinary visual, auditory and scent-detecting abilities, but it also knows how to stalk and pursue prey with stealth-like movements. All of this contributes to their successful-kill rate that’s in excess of 60%, which is far-greater than any other cat, in addition to the majority of other mammals as well.
Patient and Tenacious
These cats are also tenacious and persistent hunters. They seem to be able to sense when to give up on a particular target and move onto another that represents an easier kill without wasting a lot of time. They will also track prey for miles if necessary, and they can kill prey that is more than three times their size. Rodents, rabbits and even small sheep are all on the menu, and the cats can jump high into the air and catch low-flying birds.
Aside from mammals, the cats also enjoy eggs, and they can eat hundreds, if not thousands per year as they conduct raids on nests of a variety of bird species. They’ve even learned how to gently crack the shells in their mouths without spilling the gooey contents inside.
All told, a single Black Footed Cat can kill and eat upwards of 3000 animals per year, and they spend the majority of their waking hours stalking, hunting and eating prey. They only hunt at night, and it’s not uncommon for cats to travel more than 10 miles in search of food. Some, particularly mothers who need to feed their young, can travel more than 20.
In other words, these cats have become so successful because they can adapt and feed on a wide-range of animals, they know their territory and have good situational awareness, and they are also hard to dissuade once they’re on the prowl. Add all of these up, and you have a recipe for success that we can all emulate.
Lessons for Us
The Black Footed Cat symbolizes the limitless possibilities that are available to us as we endeavor to become more self-sufficient. We may not be the biggest, strongest or best-equipped people out there, but we all have the capacity to be successful in survival situations if we have the right skills and attitude. The more we learn to adapt, become opportunistic, and make do with what resources we have can translate into greater success in the field.
What other animals do you get inspiration from? Feel free to share what they are and why they strike a chord with you. We can all take some cues from nature in order to be better-prepared to use it to our advantage during a survival situation.
