When homeowners in Texas uncovered a cozy litter of what they believed were kittens tucked beneath their shed, they were stunned — and a little confused.
While clearing their yard, they noticed the tiny animals didn’t quite look or behave like ordinary house cats. Trusting their instincts, they reached out to Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for guidance.
That call revealed an incredible surprise: the “kittens” weren’t kittens at all.
They were six baby bobcats.
The tiny wild siblings were brought into the rescue’s care, where staff immediately noticed they were underweight and struggling. Thankfully, tests showed they were free of parasites, but it was clear the babies would need round-the-clock care to gain strength and start thriving.
At first, the bobcats were bottle-fed — an experience that quickly revealed just how different each little personality was. Some happily clung to the bottle and wanted more, while others seemed impatient to grow up and move on to bigger things. Their caregivers adjusted to each cub’s needs, and before long, the results were unmistakable.
“Our bobcat kittens are thriving — gaining weight, growing strong, and already showing how fierce they’re becoming,” Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center shared on Facebook.
Initially, the six were cared for in separate foster homes so they could receive individualized attention. Soon, though, four of the bobcats were strong enough to reunite at the center — and that’s when the real fun began.
“It’s a joy watching them play,” the rescue wrote. “They’re learning to stalk, pounce, and bounce like little professionals. Play is how wild animals practice hunting and defending themselves, and these siblings are the perfect teachers for one another.”
Two of the smaller cubs needed a bit more time with their rehabilitators before rejoining the group, but all six continue to do incredibly well. Their rescuers are grateful the homeowners trusted their instincts and reached out for help before the situation became dangerous for the wild babies.
In the wild, bobcat kittens are weaned at around two to three months old and typically stay with their mother until they’re about a year old, learning essential survival skills along the way.
Since that wasn’t possible here, these young bobcats will learn those lessons from experienced rehabilitators — and from each other.
They may not be ordinary kittens, but they deserve the same compassion and care. And when the time is right, these once-misidentified bobcats will be released back into the wild, ready to live the lives they were meant for.
