In a project where 55 cats were fitted with cameras,  the researchers found that 45% of the participating felines hunted, and that they tended to hunt more when the weather was warm.

"Eighty-five percent of wildlife captures were witnessed during the warm season (March-November in the southern US)" the researchers said.

"Cat age, sex, and time spent outside did not significantly influence hunting behaviour" according to the research.

Young males take risks

The researchers also found that about 85% of the cats had engaged in at least one high risk behaviour, with the biggest one being crossing the road (45%), followed by eating and drinking strange substances and meeting strange cats (tied at 25% each).

About twenty percent of the cats walked down storm water drains, and another 20% ended up in places where they could have gotten trapped. 

Younger males tended to engage in more risky behaviour than females and older cats.

It wasn't all risk however, as four of the cats surprised the researchers by developing two sets of "owners".

You can read the research and watch some of the videos on the Kitty Cam websites.