Cat update: twins

For those in the US, I hope you had a good Thanksgiving. Among other things, I am thankful that Poppy chose our property to raise her kittens, and thankful that they continue to enjoy the shelter & feeder I spent many hours building for them.

One thing I’m a little embarrassed to admit is although I can recognize Poppy, Porcini, and Portabella, based on face and paw markings, I still can’t tell Spud and Pommie apart, unless I see their nether regions (since Spud is male, and Pommie is female). Their fur markings seem pretty much identical to me.

Here’s a picture with Spud, Portabella, and Pommie. I know that Spud is on the left only because I saw him jump down from the top of the camera, so I could see it was a male cat; otherwise I’d have no way of telling the left and right cats apart.

Here’s another shot, showing Spud coming out of the feeder:

Compare with this one, of Pommie coming out of the feeder:

They do look a little different, but I think that’s mostly differences in pose; watching video of both, I can’t identify any noticeable difference in markings.

Oh well, I’ll keep looking, and may spot something eventually. Most of the time it’s easy enough to tell who is who, based on behavior. Spud is more active and playful, as is common with boy cats. He also often snuggles (and play-fights) with Porcini:

Stereo yawns (Poppy and Porcini — Poppy has only a little white on one paw, and Porcini has a white stripe on her nose):

Snuggling inside, when alerted by some noise:

Stretch! (See the white stripe? Yep, Porcini.)

Porcini (again) looking at the camera in the feeder:

Porcini on the awning, Poppy on the deck, enjoying some sun:

Spud or Pommie; who can tell?

A non-cam photo of the shelter side, showing the “Cat House Saloon” sign:

And the “Mercantile” feeder side:

A cute cactus ornament inside the feeder window:

Porcini watches someone (probably Spud) on top of the camera housing:

Two mushroom girls looking at each other at breakfast time; probably negotiating who is next in the queue:

Pommie and Spud again; spot any differences? I know that Spud is on the right.

A cat watches through the window as a disappointed raccoon visits:

Watching from the doorway as a deer walks by:

Porcini and Spud snuggling:

Double-decker cats as another walks by:

That’ll do for this week!