Photo of large feral cat with sand goanna in its jaws captured by accident - ABC Science Online

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A photo of a feral cat with a goanna in its jaws has been discovered accidentally by researchers.

The image shows the feline carrying a sand goanna through the northern Simpson Desert at Ethabuka Reserve near the Queensland-Northern Territory border.

It was taken inadvertently by wildlife cameras being used to study decomposing animal carcasses.

University of Sydney researcher Emma Spencer said it was a stroke of luck.

"The cat with a goanna in its mouth was actually in the background," she said.

Portrait of PhD student Emma Spencer
Emma Spencer has been studying the environmental impact of dead animal carcasses.(Supplied)

"The large cat was walking behind one of our carcass cameras and we just happened to catch him with a great big sand goanna in its mouth."

Researchers are using cameras to investigate what happens to animal carcasses that result from roadkill, drought and bushfires across the country.

The feral cat with its goanna meal was photographed in 2018 but was only discovered during the course of the research this month.

Ms Spencer said while cats generally fed on birds and mice, they also scavenged larger animals such as kangaroos.

"But I definitely say that a cat that size would be very capable of taking out a sand goanna.

"Though it is surprising, it is definitely possible that cat caught that goanna itself."

A feral cat with a sand goanna in its jaws walks through the background of a research camera's shot
The cat was discovered walking through the background of a research surveillance shot.(Supplied: Emma Spencer)

Biosecurity says it's not unusual

While the image is striking, Biosecurity Queensland principal scientist Matthew Gentle said it was not an unusual sight.

"We've seen similar photos through our research of cats dragging back killed wallabies … to feed offspring," he said.

"Certainly we know the impact of cats and how devastating they can be."

A feral cat runs away from a kangaroo carcass
This feral cat spotted in 2018 ate an entire kangaroo carcass.(Supplied: Emma Spencer)

Biosecurity Queensland estimates there are as many as 5.6 million feral cats across 99.8 per cent of the country.

Mr Gentle said cats often took reptiles, birds, mammals, insects, fish and amphibians.

"A lot of our native species they can readily catch and consume."

He said it was up to local governments to manage feral cat numbers.



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