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Sa Majesté Louis Catorze, Le Roi Soleil, supreme ruler of Le Château, sworn enemy of canine foe and scourge of Ocado delivery drivers.

Une famille de rongeurs

07/01/2023

It’s not often that we catch Louis Catorze doing sensible things but, every now and again, it happens. And luckily I have photographic proof, otherwise I don’t think anyone would believe me.

Cat Daddy spotted him the other day at a new Rodent Duty station: underneath the bird feeder, staring intently at the spot where the bits fall. This makes absolute sense as a place, and it has answered our questions about how on earth he is finding all these mice/voles/shrews/moles/whatever.

The day after taking this picture, we saw him leap headlong into the sage, with his tail thrashing furiously. He didn’t emerge with a prize on that occasion, but it’s only a matter of time, n’est-ce pas?

Is it cruel for us to (indirectly) lure creatures to their death like this? Or is Catorze performing a vital civic duty?

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18 responses to “Une famille de rongeurs”

catladymac

07/01/2023

As long as he is going after the rodents and not the birds.

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1. iamthesunking
  
  07/01/2023
  
  He’s only ever caught one bird of which we are aware, and that was many years ago. I think they’re too quick for him, so he’s given up!
  
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mmechapeau

07/01/2023

I’m happy you cleared up the rodent source mystery.
As to Louis, he is just doing his ancestral cat job, isn’t he?
🐈‍⬛
Do you know that sparrowhawks can also be on the watch near some feeders to catch small birds.
One day, I saw one of them flying away with a female blackbird in its talons.

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1. iamthesunking
  
  07/01/2023
  
  Predators are very clever, aren’t they? Although I still can’t see Catorze as one. He’s more like a living teddy bear.
  
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  1. mmechapeau
    
    07/01/2023
    
    Don’t worry, I agree with you. Louis is not an actual predator.
    😺
    
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    1. iamthesunking
      
      07/01/2023
      
      He really isn’t! He looks like one, with those teeth. But he’s not.
      
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alicephilippa

07/01/2023

Catorze being civic minded? Are you sure that it wasn’t his doppelganger?

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1. iamthesunking
  
  07/01/2023
  
  Very true, it’s not exactly his style to think of others!
  
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Penny

07/01/2023

Well any ‘normal’ cat would be being naughty lurking under a bird feeder because they would obviously be hopeful of catching a bird. Maybe he has an amazing alliance with the birds?? Do they actually feed while he is there?? I’ve no story of my own to compare with as I’ve only thought cats were naughty and wanting to catch the birds!! I have a cat and bird story to share but nothing in common with this situation!! Should you wish to know about my cat Fido (yes I taught him that he was a dog!) and a blackbird just ask!!

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1. iamthesunking
  
  07/01/2023
  
  No, they don’t feed with him sitting there. Next time I’ll try to pan out and snap them all sitting on the telegraph wires above, waiting for the apex predator to go away!
  
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  1. Penny Cooper
    
    07/01/2023
    
    Very wise birds and lucky for you because can you imagine what on earth would happen if Louis were to take flight after a bird at that height? Where might he land?! Love that he makes me use my brain on a dark dark day, has the world shifted its axis, are we turning into a country of perpetual darkness??
    
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cat9984

08/01/2023

Smart kitty

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1. iamthesunking
  
  08/01/2023
  
  He can be at times!
  
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Aspasía S. Bissas

18/03/2023

The only concern I’d have is that someone might have poisoned the rodents, and Catorze gets to one before the poison does. It’s a problem here– birds of prey (and other animals) are dying from eating poisoned rodents.

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1. iamthesunking
  
  19/03/2023
  
  Oh good grief, I hadn’t thought of that! He hasn’t eaten any so far (to our knowledge – apart from that one whose head we still haven’t found!).
  
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  1. Aspasía S. Bissas
    
    19/03/2023
    
    Sorry to bring up new worries. 😦 He’s likely not eating them, since he gets fed at home.
    
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    1. iamthesunking
      
      19/03/2023
      
      He would probably eat them just to spite us. 🤣🤣🤣
      
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      1. Aspasía S. Bissas
        
        19/03/2023
        
        Lol Maybe just the heads 😉
        
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