Domestic cats can begin reproducing as young as 6 months of age. Each female cat can produce two litters per year, containing multiple cats that can also begin reproducing early. What prediction can you make about an ecosystem in which cat populations are not controlled?

A. A predator for the cats would rapidly appear to match the population growth.
B. Small game would initially suffer but then quickly develop survival skills.
C. Within a few years, the population of cats would increase slowly, level off, and stabilize.
D. Within a few years, there would be many starving cats.

Question

Domestic cats can begin reproducing as young as 6 months of age. Each female cat can produce two litters per year, containing multiple cats that can also begin reproducing early. What prediction can you make about an ecosystem in which cat populations are not controlled?

A. A predator for the cats would rapidly appear to match the population growth.
B. Small game would initially suffer but then quickly develop survival skills.
C. Within a few years, the population of cats would increase slowly, level off, and stabilize.
D. Within a few years, there would be many starving cats.

anonymous · Answer

And for this one i'm thinking C? What do you guys think?

blues · Answer

I like C also.

anonymous · Answer

thank you :)

anonymous · Answer

Can you help on my other questions to?

anonymous · Answer

why C? Just curious... Why would the increase be slow and what would make it level off? I would think the answer should be D

anonymous · Answer

c. over time food sources for cats will turn to be the limiting factor for reproduction

anonymous · Answer

food source meaning mice? Shouldn't then the population change according to Lotka-Volterra predator prey model.