Twins

Hi everyone, so Mittens and all 6 babies are growing great and gained 10 grams in 24 hours. I have a weird question, can two of them be identical twins. I have two black ones and I am trying to tell them apart for their weight checks, I noticed a cute white patch under one of their chins and the other one has the same exact patch. Could it be possible they are identical twins?

From what I know it is possible, but not very common Did you witness the birth? If so, I beleive that the two kittens would have been attached to the same placenta if they were truly identical.

For two black kittens it is probably very unlikely- they probably just got similar genes. I've found most of the black kittens that I've had have also had the white spot under their chins, so it isn't too uncommon. That being said, it doesn't mean that they aren't, but the chances aren't too high 

CuteKittenKat said:

From what I know it is possible, but not very common

Did you witness the birth? If so, I beleive that the two kittens would have been attached to the same placenta if they were truly identical.

For two black kittens it is probably very unlikely- they probably just got similar genes. I've found most of the black kittens that I've had have also had the white spot under their chins, so it isn't too uncommon. That being said, it doesn't mean that they aren't, but the chances aren't too high 

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I agree I think it is possible but not very common. If you are having a hard time telling them apart you can go buy the paper wrist bands they give out at concerts and other events (usually sold in an office supply store) and put it around their necks. You can either write their names on there or get different colors to tell them apart. Just make sure they fit loose enough for the kitten to move around, but not so loose they can get a paw stuck under there. Usually if you can easily fit a finger between the band and the skin it is loose enough. As they grow, just cut the band off and put on another. 

EB24, you actually should be able to put two fingers in there. Also, when they are big enough to wear collars, I would buy those with plastic ID tags.

I had never read it is possible to have "identical" (aka homozygotic) twins in felines, but does it really matter? They can just be the same color and size without having identical DNA. If they are homozygotic, the only way to know is see them when they are born because dams eat all of the amniotic sacs within minutes.

EmilyMayWilcha said:

EB24, you actually should be able to put two fingers in there.

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two fingers is too much for tiny kittens, the collars will be far too loose and dangerous.

I use hair bands on little ones of the same colouring

EmilyMayWilcha said:

EB24, you actually should be able to put two fingers in there. Also, when they are big enough to wear collars, I would buy those with plastic ID tags.

I had never read it is possible to have "identical" (aka homozygotic) twins in felines, but does it really matter? They can just be the same color and size without having identical DNA. If they are homozygotic, the only way to know is see them when they are born because dams eat all of the amniotic sacs within minutes.

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I follow the two finger rule for any kitten big enough to wear a regular kitten collar (over 2 pounds). But, I have found when paper collaring such small kittens 2 fingers can be too wide for their tiny necks. Really, it's just a judgement call- don't choke them but don't have it so loose it's catching on everything. 

Identical twins in humans are about 3 in 1,000, and they may or may not share a placenta.  Obviously two kittens (or any other mammel) sharing a placenta would be identical, but two placentas doesn't mean not identical. 

The white mark under the chin is very common, so I wouldn't use that as a marker for identical twins.

Whatever they are, I'm sure they are cute and it sounds like Mittens is doing well with them.  Photos? 

missymotus said:

two fingers is too much for tiny kittens, the collars will be far too loose and dangerous.

I use hair bands on little ones of the same colouring

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Just curious what kind of hairbands do you use? I'm picturing elastic bands but I can't see how that wouldn't get too tight. It sounds like a good idea but I just can't quite visualize it. 

EB24 said:

Just curious what kind of hairbands do you use? I'm picturing elastic bands but I can't see how that wouldn't get too tight. It sounds like a good idea but I just can't quite visualize it. 

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hair bands are available in various sizes, from baby child to large size adult so they wear various sizes over the 12 weeks.

missymotus said:

hair bands are available in various sizes, from baby child to large size adult so they wear various sizes over the 12 weeks.

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Ah I see what your saying. That's actually a really good idea- I may try it next time! Thanks.