The Berlin Zoo is celebrating the first birth of Rusty-Spotted Cats in its 168-year history.  Rusty-Spotted Cats are the world's smallest wild cats, weighing only 2.0 to 3.5 lb (0.9 to 1.6 kg) as adults. 

The two kittens were born on August 5, and have only recently begun to leave their den to explore their exhibit.  Playful, clumsy, and a little awkward, the two female youngsters are a delight to zoo guests.  At birth, kittens typically weigh just 2.0-2.7 ounces (60-77 g).

Native only to Sri Lanka and India, these diminuitive cats are classified as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and the conversion of wild lands to farms.  Rusty-Spotted Cats prefer dense forests and grasslands, emerging at night to hunt for rodents, birds, and lizards. 

Little is known about these secretive cats, and few zoos display this species, making these two kitttens especially important for the captive population.

Photo Credits: Berlin Zoo