A kitten of a rare black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) was born at the American Hogle Zoo, Utah. The cub was born on August 23, now he has grown a little and he and his mother have begun to be shown to visitors to the zoo.
Since birth, the kitten has already undergone several examinations by veterinarians, but so far zoo staff are finding it difficult to name its gender. Soon the kitten will receive the first necessary vaccinations and then they will definitely see whether it is a boy or a girl, after which the kitten will be given a name.
Black-footed cats live in the desert areas of southern Africa and are the smallest of the African wild cats and of the entire modern cat family. The average weight of a black-footed cat is 1.6 kg, body length 36-52 cm, tail 13-20 cm.
This species is currently classified as vulnerable. Black-footed cat populations are in constant decline due to poaching, being hit by cars and dog attacks. Hunting black-footed cats is officially prohibited in South Africa and Botswana.
Due to their small size, these cats hunt mainly small birds, rodents and insects. A litter produces from one to four kittens, usually only two. Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 8-12 months. Kittens become independent at 5 months, but even after this time they can stay close to their mother.
