Binghamton's Ross Park Zoo is excited to announce the birth of a litter of absolutely adorable kittens to sand cats, Kaya and Amal.

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Sand cats are very small and solitary cats that are native to deserts in Africa and Asia. Sand cats love living in conditions that are very dry and that have little vegetation as that is what they have adapted to.

The gestation period for sand cats can last 59 to 67 days and females can give birth to a litter of one to eight kittens however, two to four kittens is the most common number.

At birth, the average weight of a sand cat kitten is just over an ounce and by the age of just six to eight months, a sand cat kitten is fully independent!

While the lifespan of a sand cat in the wild is not known, when well cared for by humans, a sand cat can live to be 13 years old.

Binghamton's Ross Park zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the United States and is often referred to as "America's 5th Zoo."  When you visit the Ross Park Zoo, you'll find loads of animals including the Artic fox, green tree python, snowy owl, red wolf, and even some fainting goats (among lots of other animals)!

The Ross Park Zoo is located on Morgan Road in Binghamton and is open seven days a week. Admission rates apply and winter hours may vary so if you're planning a visit during the winter months, double-check first that the zoo is open for visitors.

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