Manners maketh the male alley cat - they let females eat first

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-497222/Manners-maketh-male-alley-cat--let-females-eat-first.html

By DAVID DERBYSHIRE
Last updated at 01:15 29 November 2007

A study has found that when feral cats gather round a dustbin in search of food, the toms let the females and kittens go first.

The display of old-fashioned chivalry has astonished experts because the largest and fiercest males usually get first choice of any tasty treats on offer.

The findings come from a study of wild cats in Rome, which has around 350,000 in 2,000 colonies roaming its streets.

Dr Roberto Bonanni, of Parma University, found the creatures - which are descended from escaped or abandoned domesticated pets - had a clear feline pecking order, decided by displays of spitting, back arching and caterwauling.

Like most mammals, the largest, most aggressive cats came top while the smaller and less fierce females were near the bottom.

However, these roles were reversed when it came to meal times.

When near a food source, the females became dominant, with the toms giving up their place at the front of the queue, New Scientist magazine reports.

Kittens were also often allowed first choice of the scraps on offer.

The findings go against other studies into big cats, such as lions, which show the males usually take the juiciest cuts of kill for themselves before allowing the females and cubs to eat any leftovers.

But Dr Bonanni said the findings make evolutionary sense because female feral cats are almost always pregnant or feeding their young and so need more food.

He believes toms defer to females and let kittens eat first to improve their chance of survival.

And if the toms forget to let the females go first, there is a sharp and pointed reminder.

"Female cats precisely hit males on the head with a paw and take over the food dish," he said.