pregnant queens deliver their litters by themselves, guided by instinct. the queen finds the safest place she can. then she will clean it thoroughly, with her tongue, if necessary. here she will quietly give birth. she licks the newborn kits clean. in the wild, leaving a scent is risking a dangerous encounter with other animals. the kits are born blind and with closed eyes. they "suckle" on her teats, and sleep a good deal. after two weeks or so, their eyes open. at that stage they have blue eyes, but not the best sight. a bit later, the best developed kit will totter out of the nest. the others follow. they will soon recognise you as a living thing: that is a great moment. at first, they go back to the nest to feed and sleep. after some more days they leave the nest for good, but still they may sleep together in a 'kitten heap'.