How do cats and cats mate? - briefly
Cats mate through a process where the male mounts the female, and copulation occurs, often accompanied by vocalizations and a distinctive post-mating behavior in the female. This process is typically brief and driven by instinctual reproductive behaviors.
How do cats and cats mate? - in detail
Cats mate through a process that involves specific behaviors and physiological responses. When a female cat, or queen, is in estrus (heat), she becomes receptive to mating and exhibits behaviors such as increased vocalization, restlessness, and a tendency to rub against objects or roll on the floor. Male cats, or toms, detect the queen’s readiness through pheromones and vocal cues. The mating process begins with the tom approaching the queen cautiously, as she may initially resist or swat at him. Once the queen accepts the tom, she assumes a mating position called lordosis, lowering her front body and raising her hindquarters. The tom mounts the queen from behind, grasping her neck with his teeth to stabilize himself. Copulation is brief, typically lasting only a few seconds. During ejaculation, the tom’s barbed penis stimulates the queen’s reproductive tract, triggering ovulation. This barbed structure ensures fertilization by inducing ovulation, as cats are induced ovulators. After mating, the queen often vocalizes loudly and may swat at the tom, who quickly retreats. This process may repeat multiple times over several hours or days to increase the likelihood of successful fertilization. Following mating, the queen’s estrus cycle ends, and she may become pregnant if fertilization occurs. The entire mating process is driven by instinct and ensures the continuation of the species.