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Summary of Description:
Two black-footed cat kittens, Ryder and Skyler, born to mother Arwen and father Sawyer on April 2, have started eating a carnivore diet, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has said. Although they are still nursing from their mother’s milk, the pair now weighs 1.5 pounds each and will grow up to be two to three pounds and measure 14 to 20 inches in length. The black-footed cat is one of the smallest cats in the world and has the highest predation success rate of any feline, consuming up to 14 rodents and birds in a single night.
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Two Black-Footed Cat Kittens Born at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park welcomed two new additions to its family in April 2020. Two Black-Footed Cat kittens, Rydermaing and Skyler, were born to their mother, Arwen, and father, Sawyer. The wildlife care specialists have been caring for the kittens since birth, and they have now begun exploring their surroundings.
Cautiously Venturing out of their Den
The two Black-Footed Cat kittens are seen in a video taking food from one of their wildlife care specialists at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Weighing around a pound and a half each, they will grow to be two to three pounds and measure 14 to 20 inches long when fully grown.
Habitat and Diet of the Black-Footed Cats
Black-Footed cats are found in open habitats in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, including desert, savanna, and scrubland. They are one of the world’s smallest cats, but they have the highest predation success rate of any feline due to their keen sense of hearing and smell. They consume up to 14 rodents and birds in a single night. The black pads and thick, black hair on the soles of their feet protect them from the hot sand.
Participating in the Species Survival Plan
San Diego Zoo Global is one of the 17 organizations in the U.S. that participate in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for this species. The birth of these two kittens will help further the knowledge and conservation of this species, along with other deliveries.
Honored to Care for the Kittens
The birth of these kittens is a vital part of the survival plan of Black-Footed Cats. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park wildlife care specialist is honored to care for these kittens, along with the adult Black-Footed Cats. They work tirelessly to ensure the kittens stay healthy, grow well, and receive the love they need.
Conservation of the Species
The Black-Footed Cats are native to Africa, and their population is declining due to habitat loss and pest control measures. To help save this species, San Diego Zoo Global has partnered with the Nature Conservancy of South Africa and a team of experts. They are doing their best to prevent the extinction of this species.
Conclusion
The Black-Footed Cat kittens have been a welcome addition to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park family. The hardworking wildlife care specialists work around the clock to ensure they grow well and are healthy. It is essential to save these species from extinction, and the efforts of the San Diego Zoo Global team are commendable.
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Source Description
Two young black-footed cats at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park cautiously ventured out of their den to take food from one of their wildlife care specialists for their daily feeding. The kittens—male Ryder and female Skyler—were born to mother Arwen and father Sawyer on April 28, 2020.
Weighing 3 ounces at birth, the kittens weigh about a pound and a half each. They will grow 2 to 3 pounds and measure 14 to 20 inches long when full-grown. They are still nursing from their mother, but the kittens have begun eating a carnivore diet.
“We are honored to care for these kittens and the adult black-footed cats at the Safari Park,” said Chelsea Davis, wildlife care specialist at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. “San Diego Zoo Global is one of 17 organizations in the U.S. participating in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for this species. The birth of these two kittens, and all births, help further our knowledge and conservation of this species.”
The black-footed cat is one of the world’s smallest cats in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Their name comes from the black pads and thick, black hair on the soles of their feet, which help protect them from the hot sand. Black-footed cats live in dry, open habitats, including deserts, savanna, and scrubland.
Although small, the black-footed cat is sometimes called “the world’s deadliest cat.” With their keen sense of hearing and smell, their predation success rate of 60 percent is the highest of any feline. One black-footed cat can consume up to 14 rodents and birds in a single night.
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