Survival in the WILD

Mating in wild cats is very similar to that of domestic cats. A significant difference is that wild cats seldom have the luxury of a surplus of readily available mates.

The female gathers males from as wide a territory as possible, by leaving increasingly frequent scent markers and vocally proclaiming her impending heat.

This is a sensible solution to the problem of being a solo hunter in a large hunting range. All of the cat family are induced ovulators.

To find the best genes for her young, a female must hold on to her eggs as long as possible, then mate with the male she considers the most suitable.

The onset of estrus in wild cats varies according to location: increasing daylight hours are a major stimulus, leading to summer kittens. Once begun, estrus cycles succeed each other until a series of successful matings produces a pregnancy.