Which animal's baby is born sighted: a cat, hedgehog, squirrel, hamster? - briefly
The baby of a cat is born sighted. Kittens have fully developed vision at birth, unlike many other animals whose offspring are born with underdeveloped eyesight.
Which animal's baby is born sighted: a cat, hedgehog, squirrel, hamster? - in detail
The visual development of offspring varies significantly among different species. In this context, let us examine the vision capabilities of newborns for each of the mentioned animals: cats, hedgehogs, squirrels, and hamsters.
Cats are born with their eyes closed, which remain shut until they are approximately 7 to 10 days old. During this period, kittens are completely dependent on their mother for care and sustenance. It is only after the first week or so that their eyes begin to open, allowing them to start perceiving their surroundings.
Hedgehogs, similarly, are born with their eyes closed. Newborn hedgehog babies, known as hoglets, do not open their eyes until they reach about 2 weeks of age. This initial period is crucial for their development and survival, as it allows them to bond with their mother and adjust to their environment before venturing out on their own.
Squirrels follow a different developmental pattern. While newborn squirrels do have eyes at birth, they are not yet fully functional or sighted. The eyes open within the first few days after birth, but it takes several weeks for their vision to fully develop and become effective in navigating their surroundings.
Hamsters present a unique case among these animals. Newborn hamster pups are indeed born with their eyes closed. However, unlike cats or hedgehogs, hamster babies open their eyes much sooner—typically within 24 to 36 hours after birth. This early development of sight is crucial for hamsters, as it allows them to start exploring their environment and finding food sources independently at a very young age.
In summary, among the listed animals, only newborn hamster pups are born with functional vision that develops rapidly within the first day or two after birth. The others—cats, hedgehogs, and squirrels—are born with their eyes closed, and their sight develops over a longer period of time.