offspring – Michael Broad

INFOGRAPHIC explains trans-generational effects of prenatal stress in cats and other mammals

September 4, 2024 by Michael Broad

Trans-generational effects of prenatal stress in cats and other mammals in an infographic

‘Trans-generational’ means: through the generations i.e. something that is passed down or extends across multiple generations. In various contexts, it describes processes, effects, behaviors, or patterns that are inherited or transmitted from one generation to the next. ‘Prenatal’ means: relating to the medical and other care given to pregnant females before their offspring are born. I have converted this interesting research (cited below) into …

Do domestic cat mothers instinctively know how to care for their offspring?

October 9, 2021 by Michael Broad

Not always, is the answer. You would have thought that as the domestic cat is considered to be barely domesticated that they would have inherited the full range of parenting skills from their wild cat ancestor but it seems not (sometimes). I’m taking my lead in answering the question in the title from Dr. …

Mother cat makes den for herself and her kittens in a bird’s nest

May 18, 2021 by Michael Broad

Stray cat makes a den for her kittens in a bird's nest

AMERSHAM, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, UK: Highly unusually, a tabby stray cat made a den for herself and her three kittens in a bird’s nest in a tree. Also, unusually, a tomcat was watching over the kittens as well. Cats Protection, a cat charity in the UK manned by foster carers, have taken in the cats, provided …

Do male tigers kill their own cubs?

April 21, 2021 by Michael Broad

Tiger at kill site where young cubs are vulnerable to being killed by males

The question is specific and precise. It asks whether male tigers kill their offspring. The word that describes this is ‘filicide’. It describes the behaviour of animals and humans when they kill their offspring. The umbrella word for adults killing infants is “infanticide”. But infanticide can apply to a parents of one family killing …

Amazing cat hug between red tabby mom and her kitten

May 2, 2019 by Michael Broad

This cat picture stood out. I have seen many cats hugging each other, lying next to each other, touching each other and so on but I not seen such an overt example of feline emotion through a hug as this one. These are red tabbies. This particular coat type and colour is popular and …

Do male cats recognise their own kittens?

January 13, 2022February 13, 2019 by Michael Broad

Do male cats recognise their own kittens? I am referring to domestic cats because I’m sure the question is about domestic cats. It’s impossible to find a clean and direct answer to the question and therefore it is a good question. I think, however, that I have found the answer indirectly. Let us first …

The Courageous Mother Cat

February 9, 2016June 26, 2012 by Michael Broad

We have two stories of a mother cat saving her kittens from a burning house. They are almost 2,500 years apart. The first story comes from the ancient Greek historian, Herodotus who lived from 484 to 425 BC. Here is a translation: Moreover when a fire occurs, the cats seem to be divinely possessed; …