Tribe.net. Local Connections Wendy http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#d918ef0f-1548-43fc-b0ed-1438a3b73285 2008-11-23T17:58:45Z 2008-11-23T17:58:45Z

Hey, glad to hear back from you! Keep in mind that they are not ignoring the local wildlife. Unless you do a study on the insect and small mammal diversity in your surrounding area, you have no idea just how many insects, native mice, and grown nesting birds they are actually eating. The loss of insect diversity is the leading cause to the loss of many reptiles, birds, and small other insects. Just because you don't see them eating birds and lizards doesn't mean they aren't the reason the numbers are very low. The insects they eat cause competition for the reptiles and birds and they will eventually move elsewhere or die. If you live near a university, an interesting study would be to collect your feral colony's scat throughout the yard on a regular basis and take it into the university for inspection. Some departments are equipped with the ability to go through the poop and tell you what exactly the cat has been eating. I have been trying to get a study like this going on campus, but instead we ended up doing a feral cat removal project. It was amazing. Within one year of active removal we got our squirrels back, many new insects, and even some ground squirrels popped up!

Wendy 2008-11-23T17:58:45Z elf http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#9766a95e-317d-4ff7-9190-a39beaaf160e 2008-11-22T04:38:40Z 2008-11-22T04:38:40Z

There are no single answers, but like my granny always said ' you gotta take these things one step at a time'. like i said, the local group gives me a steroid for their food. Alas they cannot pay for the feed, still it keeps these guys healthy and kitten free. Another local organization does help but it is still about forty dollars a head....cheaper than the ninety it would cost otherwise but still well out of my budget. i have not tried to handle these cats, they are not cuddly kits. And I have a strict don't name dont get attached rule. These fellows are very feral, very skittish, but mostly polite. i am well aware of feline illnesses and the other down sides. I just know what they face if I don't help them. In my county at least a couple of pets have gotten rabies and put down from eating bats. I am relieved to see the guys ignoring the wild life except for one mocking bird who is really asking for it. And there is also the risk of Nile virus. i do what I can to keep them healthy and hope for the best.

elf 2008-11-22T04:38:40Z Wendy http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#fe5746e7-c649-461b-b4f1-fd89891e9101 2008-07-18T16:12:31Z 2008-07-18T16:12:31Z

Elf, there is no ONE solution, other than making cats in North America illegal and killing every last one of them. I am not for that. Several different approaches are needed at the same time. There are organizations out there who will help offset the costs of spaying and neutering for the poor or for people in your situation. Now you say you can only afford to keep up with feed, but as you feed your strays, they make more babies, and that will give you more mouths to feed, when however many of those kittens survive. It's a vicious cycle. I managed to get my 5 ferals all spayed and neutered for free through a local rescue group who had received $10,000 in grants specifically for this purpose. You just have to look around and ask questions and don't give up. Contact all the local vets and find out if any of them work with any groups for this purpose. There is help out there, just keep looking. Keep in mind, all those ferals are not being treated medically and can carry Feline AIDS and Feline Leukemia and other horrific diseases and viruses. You come into contact with this very often if they live in your yard. You then bring this inside on your shoes and clothing for your inside cats. These are things you MUST keep in mind if you choose to manage a feral colony. Don't leave food out 24/7. And leave plenty of water around. A cat who gets plenty of cool, fresh water daily is far healthier and safer. And wash your hands thoroughly, because there are 12 commonly contracted diseases from feline fecal and urinary waste and saliva, and chances are, many of those are rolling around in the yard already. Among these are: (EXCERPT FROM MY FERAL CAT MANAGEMENT REPORT) PLAGUE According to the CDC: There are an average of 10-15 cases of plague diagnosed in America and 1000-3000 cases diagnosed globally in humans per year. Most human cases in the United States occur in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, California, Oregon, Nevada. It is contracted from cats by either touching an infected cats fluids after death, or by respiratory spray. Therefore, handling stray cats can be a risky endeavor. TAPEWORM Contracted through swallowing an infected flea, cases are rare in America, but lack of flea control increases risk. LEPTOSPIROSIS Very common in the US. Can be contracted through contact with fecal or urinary waste. This is a common problem in public playgrounds. RABIES According to the CDC: In 2006, cases of rabies in cats increased 18.2% compared with the number reported in 2005. The number of rabies cases reported in cats is routinely 3-4 times as that of rabies reported in cattle or dogs. Campylobacter jejuni can be passed through diarrhea from young cats to humans, often in Georgia and Colorado. Cat Scratch Disease is a common problem resulting from infected kittens. People rough housing with infected kittens will contract it through small cuts on their hands and fingers. Hookworm Typically passed by kittens and puppies, although more cases are reported from puppies. Human eats infective eggs from the worms which have infested the nearby environment. Cryptosporidium Passed through ingestion of fecally contaminated water or food, or through direct contact of fecal matter of cats. Usually the AIDS-defining illness in HIV patients. Toxoplasmosis: Rare in America, contracted through handling of feces or urine in sandboxes or litterboxes. Organism must be outside of cat’s body for three days to become infective. Therefore, litterboxes should be scooped out daily. Pregnant women are at a higher risk of contracting and passing on the disease to their fetuses, but it is still rare. Ringworm: quite common on playgrounds because of the sandboxes as a result of urine and feces. Salmonella Contact with feces Toxocara cati Almost 14% of US population infected, capable of causing blindness and other systemic illness, African Americans more susceptible than whites and Hispanics, and usually occurs with children.

Wendy 2008-07-18T16:12:31Z elf http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#33f1efe8-e7f6-4682-b42a-3e6f40e2d91f 2008-07-18T15:14:05Z 2008-07-18T15:14:05Z

On more than a few level I agree with you. But I am one of the people who every stray comes to my house. What can I do? Turn them away? I have my own INDOOR cats fixed but feel responsible for the five outside. I couldn't even begin to get the money together to have them all fixed...I can just about keep up with feed. Before I started feeding them we had zero song birds and small wild life. Now my trees have life again and I see several rabbits and a ground hog daily. Our city has a feral feeding organization that puts steroids into the feeders. It seems to be working. The strays look much better and I have seen very few kittens. they also do the trap and sterilized,though I cannot help but feel if they assisted those who already have pets with the cost of neutering we would see fewer dumped cats and dogs. We also have a very successful chapter of second chance, a group for re homing pets who would otherwise be abandoned.

elf 2008-07-18T15:14:05Z Wendy http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#842c2fb1-10fc-40b7-9f3c-f9cd8c9e2d45 2008-05-31T16:12:16Z 2008-05-31T16:12:16Z

hardy har, very funny. I read it and went "ewwwww". Yeah, it was cute when I was a kid, but now it just kind of creeps me out.

Wendy 2008-05-31T16:12:16Z Miguelito http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#60181c4f-19d2-45f9-893c-8329cd93e651 2008-05-31T12:26:50Z 2008-05-31T12:26:50Z

For the real take on Owls and Cats check out: http://www.nonsenselit.org/Lear/ns/pussy.html Rather a sinister poem after reading these posts. ;)

Miguelito 2008-05-31T12:26:50Z Wendy http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#f4b0d916-2f87-420e-8397-6151b1300252 2006-12-10T23:49:49Z 2006-12-10T23:49:49Z

Rodent populations always go through a boom and bust period. Natural predators typically increase in numbers to combat this. Depending on if those rats are even native species can be important on whether cats will eat them. Ever seen a Norway rat? DAYUM! Those are almost bigger than my cat, seriously. The biggest issue with population booms without another animal to keep it in check is disease. Disease plays a natural function in population control, however, it is in conjunction with increased predators that this process works. If there aren't enough natural predators to work in balance with the disease, then disease will become an overburden on the population. With increased numbers comes increased contact, which causes the disease spread to be unnatural and can lead to rapid expansion which will kill more animals than would have naturally. This is why it is inadvisable to treat rabies in natural populations of wildlife. It destroys the natural balance and increases populations unnaturally and the ugly unbalanced cycle continues.

Wendy 2006-12-10T23:49:49Z Beka http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#96c1b7af-077a-4122-b6dd-9d720cfca16f 2006-12-08T22:13:27Z 2006-12-08T22:13:27Z

>>>I'm starting to think he is being held captive at that weird ladies house. Is there anyway you can go over there and check? I have a feeling in my gut about it. Or maybe he is on an adventure. Something tells me he is going to just show up. I am sending positive energy to you! <<< Sweet Lorinda, thaks. I hope you're right. I have dreams where Franky just show's up. The neighbor moved away and I don't know where she lives anymore. I think she came back and took him. This is a small island. I sent fliers to all of the vets on island with his FriendChip number and a description of her. As far as the rodent population on Maui.... it's thriving! Even with a huge feral cat population, the rats and mice have the upper hand here. A few years ago there was a big boom in their population. We'd see them everywhere, even running across the highway in broad daylight. It's not as bad as that anymore but I don't think they need to worry about extinction here! As a matter of fact.... I once caught a rat in a trap (it wasn't harmed). I took it to an area with a lot of feral cats and let it out of the trap right in front of a group of them. * The cats completely ignored it*! It ran off into the jungle without a chase.

Beka 2006-12-08T22:13:27Z soo http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#cc876529-c90c-4297-9adb-c48f37785657 2006-12-08T03:36:11Z 2006-12-08T03:36:11Z

yes and feral cats can be caught neutered and then released.that at least stablizes thier numbers.

soo 2006-12-08T03:36:11Z ~Ms. Purity~ http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#bd00c288-8289-453e-8443-9f7cd39915f0 2006-12-06T18:53:17Z 2006-12-06T18:53:17Z

i take it a step further and recommend that people keep their cats indoor. Not only does it save the local wildlife, but it's safer for your cat.

~Ms. Purity~ 2006-12-06T18:53:17Z Wendy http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#657bda5f-4a08-4adf-91ec-a4f168784efd 2006-12-06T18:25:52Z 2006-12-06T18:25:52Z

One of the many reasons why we are seeing an increase in raptor attacks on our pets is because of domestic cats. Cats are among the #1invasive species taking over the vast majority of the planet, decimating reptile, ground dwelling bird and rodent populations. In island settings they lead to mass extinctions. Raptors survive on reptiles and rodents. If that food is not available, then they will pursue whatever they can catch. It is depressing, but true. That is why you see me all the time begging people to spay and neuter their pets and NOT feed feral cats. That only increases their survival and litter sizes which exacerbate.

Wendy 2006-12-06T18:25:52Z Lorinda http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#b4e75df8-0092-4cd4-9329-622fa5222bd0 2006-12-06T17:18:53Z 2006-12-06T17:18:53Z

Yes, hawks and owls are both big enough to attack our babies, if not carry them away. i know a lady who has a yorkshire terrier who was outside and suddenly started shrieking. The lady ran out and her little dog's back was bloody, all cut up. A big hawk was flying away. She took him to the vet and he survived, thank god. But it just goes to show you, hawks are fierce birds of prey! You know Beka, Frankie is a big cat. If he had been attacked by any kind of animal, there would have been some kind of sign of struggle, blood or fur left around. I'm starting to think he is being held captive at that weird ladies house. Is there anyway you can go over there and check? I have a feeling in my gut about it. Or maybe he is on an adventure. Something tells me he is going to just show up. I am sending positive energy to you!

Lorinda 2006-12-06T17:18:53Z Beka http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#e0e56321-ff44-4da3-a2c6-90b232f7311d 2006-12-05T23:37:15Z 2006-12-05T23:37:15Z

Oh I'm so glad you were there! Can you just imagine seeing your little bun being carried away to his doom! ? Yikes! Both my bunnies (one lives next door with my boyfriend) were found out in our yard. We don't see many owls, but the one I saw a few weeks ago was definately big enough to carry them away.

Beka 2006-12-05T23:37:15Z Lorinda http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#06693257-6ccf-49a9-9fd0-52c4e20b05ad 2006-12-05T21:01:52Z 2006-12-05T21:01:52Z

I live on the central coast of cali, lots of small rural towns. You can't look up without seeing a hawk flying around or sitting on a telephone wire. At night you hear the owls. I have heard numerous stories of little dogs and cats being attacked by the local birds of prey or raccoons and lately, mountain lions! Once I had 2 of my buns out in my backyard and i heard some crows squawking, and i look up, and there was a gigantic red tail hawk cruising really low, actually LOOKING at my rabbits! i saw his eyes, thats how low he was. thank GOD the crows had a nest nearby and were trying to chase him away. i ran over to my babies and the hawk flew away in disgust at the crows no doubt. But I just about had a heart attack! I have no doubt that had i not been there, and the crows not bothering him, the hawk would have flown down and had himself a tastey treat! It really freaked me out. I'm sorry this post isnt more positive Beka....i sure hope Frankie comes home though!

Lorinda 2006-12-05T21:01:52Z soo http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#38ea2c0d-4c6e-4578-bf50-824c5c6a3c0b 2006-12-01T20:16:09Z 2006-12-01T20:16:09Z

yes serious research is needed without suppositions.anedotial is all i"ve got{ ever) as i am just a horticulturist. this puts me outdoors a lot though, and in the REAL(and beleleagered) world .what i have observed is a vast and complex net of interactions we as humans have barely acknowledged let alone understood.what we are seeing is a huge system trying to adapt to us as we destroy; before knowing what it is we are a part of .hats off to serious study.so much to see.

soo 2006-12-01T20:16:09Z Wendy http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#60e5c2b5-fa75-424b-9104-9643146481e6 2006-12-01T15:35:15Z 2006-12-01T15:35:15Z

Suppositions can be made for eternity! There would have to be documentation, you know? You would have to observe and write everything you see occuring, what time of day, how long the duration, etc. Behavior like that is impossible to diagnose from simply observing casually. What we know about dolphin behavior can be attributed to YEARS of almost daily observations. Whenever we get a live, potentially rescuable, dolphin, we have 24/7 visual care. We have volunteers whose sole job is to sit and watch the dolphin, recording everything from duration between breaths, play time, "sleep" time, feeding behavior, etc. It became tons of fun when we got an underwater listening device! So, no, can't give you a good guess at this time. But if it occurs again, record everything! Do you know if maybe this owl had a nest nearby and was just ensuring you came nowhere near it?

Wendy 2006-12-01T15:35:15Z soo http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#4399e853-78b1-4c42-a4d5-1bc0fd25ef30 2006-12-01T04:03:44Z 2006-12-01T04:03:44Z

this is off subject so please do forgive,but about Horned Owl.when i was growing up an owl for some unknown reason began following my family. it roosted in a large oak on our grounds.it would fly along with us when we walked away from home and then, roost nearby until we returned.ultimately it frighted my older sister by flying at her tall 1960's style hairdo.we said it thought her hair was either another owl or good nesting material. silly story but puzzles me still.any ideas what was really going on?

soo 2006-12-01T04:03:44Z Wendy http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#b8faf32d-a07d-4b39-a24e-676b8dd81be7 2006-11-30T22:50:14Z 2006-11-30T22:50:14Z

One thing to remember about domestic cats: They tend to choose territory over person. Some cats will choose the stuff inside the house as their territory, some the yard, some the actual house, and some the neighborhood. When a cat turns his back on you to hang at another house, he feels it's his choice not yours and damned if you try to bring him back. If the neighbors are trying to "steal" your cats, then the only options other than being evil to the nieghbors is to keep your cat inside, give the cat to the neighbor, or give up and let the cat decide. Cats aren't like dogs at all. I have been lucky that my cat was left at a shelter. He was so happy to get out of there that he has stayed with me all over the world. He is a well-travelled cat. Every new place we go to he is led in on a leash and walked around the yard on a leash. That way he gets to smell his new home. Then he stays in the house for at least a week before allowing him to go on the porch. This way, if he manages to "escape" and get turned around, he simply follows his nose back to the yard and things are fine. My fear of cars has taught me to teach the cats FEAR of roads. I make it to where they are paranoid about roads. Mean? I don't think so. Life saving? Definately.

Wendy 2006-11-30T22:50:14Z Beka http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#87e3c40f-561d-46e5-9de8-6f6a59540d4b 2006-11-30T22:30:41Z 2006-11-30T22:30:41Z

Franky is still missing.... We went for a walk in the jungle last weekend but found nothing. A few years ago I had a neighbor who tried to steal Franky from us. She lured him to her house with fresh fish and other treats and he didn't want to stay at home, ever. At that time we tried to keep him in the house for a while while we worked things out with the neighbor, but it was impossible. Not just noisy, he got MEAN. He wanted out so bad he would break through screens, scratch and bite anyone who got near him. It was terrible, I felt like I was torturing him. It's a strong possibility that this neighbor came back to steal him again. She was seen "jogging" in the neighborhood a couple weeks before he dissappeared.

Beka 2006-11-30T22:30:41Z Wendy http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#3454971d-28e4-4bce-bbba-703551c407cb 2006-11-30T22:26:13Z 2006-11-30T22:26:13Z

Yeah my greatest concern are the mice and native mammals. It is sad that human sprawl has led to more and more mice finding readily available food in human areas, but then, the humans moved into the mice's area. Issue is, we need the mice. I know city folk disagree, and I really don't care that they do, personally. However, I am going to look into taking a course at our college to teach wildlife professionals how to talk to civilians. We have to find ways for folks with little to know wildlife knowledge and experience to understand the need for wildlife.

Wendy 2006-11-30T22:26:13Z soo http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#f752ebec-7145-4f6d-8e2f-d3ee82bb9363 2006-11-30T18:34:41Z 2006-11-30T18:34:41Z

as to protecting both cat/pet and native indoor only is best,but once your cat has been outdoors it is going to be a constant battle to keep that animal inside.you can do it although it will be loudly protested.my house cat lived to the ripe old age of 23 ,and only killed mice.outside are cars,or native animals. to check out sucessful spay and release programs check out s.f. spca feral fix programs{this is a great humane society however we are talking about a very urban area.)

soo 2006-11-30T18:34:41Z soo http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#ece3e3e3-d8a3-4376-a232-11c01d896cb1 2006-11-30T18:13:43Z 2006-11-30T18:13:43Z

I do know of a indoor /outdoor spayed cat that was killed by a great horned owl up near a preserve in the hills of the bayarea northern california.she was older and had taken to staying out late due to the introduction of a new large puppy in her household. My friends found some remains and said it was owl.

soo 2006-11-30T18:13:43Z Beka http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#a551836a-8b1a-4e02-9374-9543808400e4 2006-11-25T02:38:19Z 2006-11-25T02:38:19Z

No... I've thought about doing something like that but I live on a steep hill and it would be a tricky job. I'm not sure he want it though. A few times I've left his closed cage in front of an open door, or out on the porch and he gets really freaked out!

Beka 2006-11-25T02:38:19Z Wendy http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#794d5143-bea6-4bcc-b334-fecfc0f1b4d9 2006-11-23T22:04:24Z 2006-11-23T22:04:24Z

Yeah, I belong to an organization who has just adopted a new official policy AGAINST Trap/Neuter/release programs. That kills me. I might attempt to get a grant to study the cost/benefit ratio of TNR programs, costs/benefits of trapping and euthanizing feral and stray cats on the public, and try and see if we can find a happy medium until the day when my dream of licensing of cat owners, heavy fines on non-licensed breeders, and even jail time for people caught dumping is realized. America is rapidly going the way of Australia, and you know how we get. We always want to go extremes. Thank you for the fixing and NEVER let your bun bun out. Great decision on that. Even out in the backyard something mean could get it. Do you build a run for it outside that is covered so it can get fresh air at all?

Wendy 2006-11-23T22:04:24Z Beka http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#f1cf5d3b-1a2b-4644-bc35-e1a26440135b 2006-11-23T00:41:32Z 2006-11-23T00:41:32Z

WOW! Both my cats (and my Bunny - another "highly prolific breeder") are fixed. Bunny is indoor only, Dizzy roams about two houses away (cuz they give him treats), Franky roams a little further, maybe 4 or 5 houses on either side. We also have a large jungle across the street that he is lord and master of. I'm thinkin maybe he went across the river just before the recent big rains and now he's stuck over there. We have a HUGE population of feral cats in the area. Franky won't let them near our house but less than half a mile away I see tons of them. Sad thing is some of them are sweet and friendly which makes me think they've been dumped. There's a local organization that feeds them as well as catches, fixes and releases them. I feel somewhat releaved about the owl. I was considering locking Dizzy up at night (which he would hate).

Beka 2006-11-23T00:41:32Z Wendy http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#22050643-a00d-40e4-8781-d5dc78b33353 2006-11-23T00:34:07Z 2006-11-23T00:34:07Z

Most owls would not attack an animal it couldn't eat, in order to conserve energy. If the cat was getting close to its nest, it would then attack, just as many birds do. Most owls are nocturnal. The only owls I have seen during the day were huge, and I was driving the research vehicle close to its tree. I may have simply disturbed it. They flew away before I got near. I don't think you have to worry about the cat. By the way, domestic cats are not native to anywhere but Africa. Killing the small birds, reptiles, insects, and rodents is what makes them such horrible creatures in America and Australia. As long as they are altered, and stay close to the house, I have no problems with them. But when they are intact and allowed to roam the neighborhood I just cringe at the amount of tax dollars spent to kill the hundreds of thousands of babies that result from the coupling of intact domestic cats in America. Cats are highly prolific breeders. With all the exotic styles that breeders have created, we are seeing more and more odd behaviors. Australia has tried to eradicate domestic cats for years. There are scientists the world over trying to find diseases and viruses that will only affect Felis domesticus, so they can spread it aerially and kill all the cats. If you don't wish to see this happen in America, please convince your friends to spay or neuter their cats.

Wendy 2006-11-23T00:34:07Z Beka http://ethologistsunite.tribe.net/thread/8e3639db-0421-4bbb-abf1-1481dfcb02e1#af4a2853-13b9-4722-9120-c48df49166bb 2006-11-23T00:23:18Z 2006-11-23T00:23:18Z

My Franky has been missing for a couple weeks now. He's full grown and he's a fierce beastie! He keeps the neighborhood clean of all manner of vermin including rats, other cats and small birds. I recently saw an Owl in the driveway. It was also a fierce beauty. It was about the same size as Franky and I was just wondering... Who would win in *that* fight?

Beka 2006-11-23T00:23:18Z