The kittens are VERY conflicted

[Siwsan]

When they see me walk out onto the screened in porch, in the morning, they come RACING up to the door.

When I open the door to bring out the food and water, the DASH for the fence line.

When I go back inside, they GALLOP to the food bowl that is only about 4 feet away from where I'm standing and watching, from behind the 'safety' of the window screen.

Occasionally, later in the afternoon, I can sit on the deck when they are playing in the yard. I just have to move very slowly if I want to try and take any photos.

[EYESORE 9001]

1. That wariness enabled their survival for untold millennia

Imagine how long it took for prehistoric folk to domesticate one of these wild cats. Bet they felt a real sense of accomplishment.

[multigraincracker]

2. I think they domesticated us.

Just a thought.

[EYESORE 9001]

3. Now that you mention it...

some of the most uncouth, uncivilized mother-scratchers I know hate cats.

[niyad]

6. This is true.

[niyad]

5. Exactly.

[Sylvarose]

12. They domesticated themselves..seriously

This is one of my favorite articles about cats.

In a new comprehensive study of the spread of domesticated cats, DNA analysis suggests that cats lived for thousands of years alongside humans before they were domesticated. During that time, their genes have changed little from those of wildcats, apart from picking up one recent tweak: the distinctive stripes and dots of the tabby cat.

Researchers surveyed the DNA of more than 200 cats spanning the last 9,000 years, including ancient Romanian cat remains, Egyptian cat mummies, and modern African wildcat specimens. Two major cat lineages contributed to the domestic feline we know today, they report in a study published Monday in Nature Ecology & Evolution.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/domesticated-cats-dna-genetics-pets-science


here's another article - no firewall

https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/06/cats-are-an-extreme-outlier-among-domestic-animals

forgive any typos. typing with one hand because my tortie is using the other as apillow

[viva la]

4. I'm impressed that they've already figured out

That you're no threat behind that impermeable screen!

[niyad]

7. Kittehs are very, very smart.

[niyad]

8. You are doing such a remarkable job with your sweet little family.

[spooky3]

9. Agree. I'm longing for the day when they sit on her lap and purr. Nt

[Random Boomer]

10. Feral kittens are such a mix of impulses

About six years ago I was feeding a trio of feral kittens twice a day. As soon as I walked toward the feeding spot, the leader of the litter, a spitfire tortoiseshell, would dash up in front of me and hiss. She was going out of her way to confront me, but then would greedily gulp down the food once I put it on the ground.

I have no idea what her thought processes were in doing this, but it was a pretty amusing spectacle for such a tiny creature.

The two females of the litter eventually wandered out this neighborhood. The single male stayed behind and we've been feeding him ever since. He only occasionally hisses at me. Most of the time I can get pretty close to him as long as I don't try to touch him. No petting allowed.

Right now he's closed up in a back room of our house recovering from an eye injury. And he's REALLY pissed at us, having no idea to what lengths we've gone (and the vet bills!) to save his life. But I'm incredibly fond of the little shit, so he's just going to have to deal with it.

[niyad]

11. What sweeties you are.

[applegrove]

16. That is so great you did that for him.

[pazzyanne]

13. Understand completely.

I fostered 2 kittens that were a week old when I got them. That meant they totally relied on me for everything the first 6 months of their lives. Teddy (solid grey male) was sweet and loving right from the start. Halle (tortoiseshell and Teddy's sister) would have nothing to do with me for the first 4 years of her life. As a 9 year old, she is my shadow and when I move, she is right there with me, talking a blue streak. Each cat has it's own unique personality that develops on their own time schedule. Have fun watching your babies grow and develop!

[Random Boomer]

14. Tortitude

I'm beginning to think there's some truth to the "Tortitude" concept.

[pazzyanne]

15. There definitely is.

Halle drove me to distraction until I read a few "Tortitude" articles. Those articles fit her like a glove.