Our Resident Orange Tabby

Can you see the feline? The arboretum is full of creatures, some native and some invasive. Cats are invasive. They are known to keep the rodent population in check, which is good for maintaining sanitary living conditions, but cats are also known to be bad for native bird, lizard and snake populations.

While stylish, a bright orange coat is better suited to camouflage in pine straw than green grass. In any case, this individual seems to be doing just fine in the arboretum. It was pictured on the blog more than two years ago; you can find that post here. What has it been eating all of this time? A few single-serving cat food containers have been found in the arboretum, so maybe it's receiving all of its caloric intake from a generous student or employee of the college.

After being spotted, this animal is making a break for it.

 

This orange tabby is typically found in the old part of the arboretum, near the brick retaining wall that separates the arboretum from Hamilton Hall. The drainage infrastructure offers several quick getaway spots.

Feral Cats (Felis catus)

 

It may not be the case every year, but more likely than not, the arboretum is home to a single feral cat. Very rarely is it the case that there are two cats regularly roaming the grounds of the arboretum. Of course there are other cats that lay claim to the rest of campus, but there seems to be a one-cat max on the 3-acre arboretum. This orange individual is our current resident.