This a nice feel good cat photo. It is time for a bit of “feel good”. Sarah Hartwell recommended it!
It is not uncommon for interspecies mothering to take place: dogs raising leopards (see also dog saves kittens), cats raising rabbits, cats raising dogs and in this instance a cat nursing a squirrel. As it happens this beautiful cat went under the porch of the house and fetched a second squirrel. She had brought in the first baby squirrel the day after she had given birth to her litter. What a great mum she is.
They live on a farm. I presume the baby squirrels had lost their mother. On a different subject, cat geneticists would have a field day looking at this picture. Her kittens are (a) pure white (b) red tabby and (c) brown tabby…….oh and ticked tabby (the squirrel). Sarah Hartwell can give me some leads on why the coat types of the kittens are so diverse. Maybe the dad is a ginger and white tabby.
Note: my thanks to Sarah for pointing out the picture.
A really lovely photo I just love the way the little baby squirrel has got his mouth wide open around the teet 🙂
With regards genetics is it possible that more than one cat fathered the kittens?
It perfectly possibly more than one male was involved. Without knowing the genders of the ginger and tabby kittens, it’s impossible to be certain though.
A really lovely photo, thanks for sharing it with us 🙂
So sweet!