Extended Kittenhood Font Size: [small] [medium] [large] Although wild cats’ physical development roughly parallels that of domestics, most of them achieve independence much later: at around 3½ months of age, although the period can vary dramatically among species. Wild mothers must take a more cautionary approach in rearing their young. Because their survival is so closely linked to successful hunting, wild cubs need to master the art of stalking and killing before going off on their own. The animals preyed on in the wild are generally larger and far more combative than the domestic's field mouse or bird, so wild mothers take a sober, gradual approach to their offspring's hunting practice sessions, but the steps are the same as those of a suburban house cat. At first, the mother will bring prey back to the den and eat it in front of her young. Eventually, she will share some of her catch with them. As her offspring reach about 3 months of age, she will bring home stunned or injured animals for them to kill. Once their bodies have matured and their mouths are equipped with teeth, the cubs begin to accompany adults on hunting trips. Some species, such as tigers, take down prey, then stand aside to let their cubs move in for the kill. Lion cubs have a cushier youth than most other types of wild cats, thanks to their living in prides. Since food generally is provided for them by the adults, lion cubs seldom kill on their own before reaching 12 to 15 months of age. Cheetahs, too, are late bloomers, reaching independence at about 18 months of age. < back to original page