Displaying feral traits(?)

Our cat recently gave birth to two male kittens. They are around 2 weeks old now. Their eyes started to open last Friday. The older one, a grey tabby, is smaller than the younger one, a ginger tabby. Just now, while I was fixing their area (changing their beddings and refilling mama cat's bowls), I think I heard the older one snap at me. Both of its eyes are a bit open and it was looking at me. I think I also heard a faint but fast series of meows, not really sure if it was just meowing, just hyperventilating, or actual hissing. Is that normal?

Yes, it's normal for tiny kittens to be wary. It's instinct. Handling them gently for brief periods will accustom them quickly to humans. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Yes, it's not feral. You just seem like a big monster because they don't see very well or hear very well.

Are you able to keep mom 100% inside and away from intact males until her litter is weaned? She can get pregnant again within the week of delivery, which is very hard on her body.

So is it alright to hang out with them more now? And any tips on how to handle them correctly?

As I said, brief periods of holding and gentle petting so they grow accustomed to your smell.

Mom may not allow much more than that right now, and they are still very fragile.

After they are 3 weeks old you can sit on the floor with them and let them crawl on you.

Actually, when he started hissing earlier, i stroked his head. I guess that was the right thing to do after all. Hehehe