Smitten for Kittens! Black-Footed Cats Born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Smitten for Kittens! Black-Footed Cats Born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
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, 2022.
Weighing 3 ounces at birth, the kittens now weigh
about a pound and half each. They will grow to be 2 to
3 pounds and measure 14 to 20 inches in length 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, 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
o kittens, and all births, help further our knowledge
and conservation of this species."
One of the world's smallest cats, the black-footed
cat is found in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
Black-footed cats live in dry, open habitats, including
desert, savanna and scrubland. 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.