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Meet Apricot, An Orphaned Chimera Kitten That Looks Like Two Different Cats Merged Into One
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Meet Apricot, An Orphaned Chimera Kitten That Looks Like Two Different Cats Merged Into One

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Recently a feline duo of the cutest kitten siblings was brought to Nashville Cat Rescue in Nashville, Tennessee after they were noticed by a kind family who had just moved in recently as they were doing construction work around their house and found the orphaned kittens abandoned in a wall.

Upon being found, the kittens were almost immediately brought to a foster parent, and volunteer Kiki and her two rescued momma cats who’d just recently had their own babies and were quite frankly inseparable.

When the foster care volunteer Kiki found out about the kittens she decided to bring them to the mom duo Olive and Pickle. Kitten siblings Apricot and Pretzel were quickly accepted by their new moms and were warmly welcomed into their shared litter, as the orphaned babies were only 2-3 weeks old.

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    Meet Apricot one of the two abandoned kitten siblings that were found in the wall

    Image credits: kittenitwithkiki

    As you can already tell, there’s something quite unusual about Apricot’s appearance as she may be what’s known as a genetic chimera cat, a rare natural occurrence

    Image credits: kittenitwithkiki

    Kiki, the foster parent of the two momma cats Olive and Pickle brought Apricot and Pretzel into the shared litter as she tried to slowly introduce them

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    Image credits: kittenitwithkiki

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    Given the opportunity, Bored Panda reached out to Kayli, a foster for Nashville Cat Rescue as she gladly shared the full story with us in more detail.

    “Pickle & Olive are two adult kitties that were trapped in a cat colony in the Greater Nashville area. The family that was working to assist this colony determined that the girls were friendly & also both pregnant! When they contacted the rescue, they had 1 ask—that the girls stay together, even when it was time for them to be adopted.

    It was a little bit of an adjustment when Pickle & Olive came to me. They were still a little shy and often greeted me with a hiss or growling. It was clear, however, that the girls loved each other and felt safe together. I spent as much time as I could with them, while still respecting their need for space. I even sat on the floor and worked on my laptop most days. I wanted to ensure as the babies came that they were comfortable with me assisting as needed, or just doing the simple necessities like weighing the kittens on a daily basis.”

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    “Pickle and Olive are such a joy to watch and their babies are undeniably cute. They swap babies and care for each other’s like they were their own”

    Image credits: kittenitwithkiki

    “Pickle was a bit more approachable than Olive and if I was petting on her, Olive would come in for some love. Within a few weeks of being here, Pickle gave birth to 6 babies, but unfortunately, 1 did not make it. While Pickle was doing the mommy things, Olive would try to still brush up against her in the playpen, but had no interest in meeting the babies. After about a week, I kept seeing Olive inside the playpen hanging out with the babies. She started to care for them like they were her own & interestingly became a little protective over them as I tried to weigh them, etc. A week after Pickle’s babies were born, I came into the girls’ room to find a new little baby—Olive’s first!

    She had another baby 24 hours after. With such a small litter size & the unusual time lapse between kittens, I took her to the vet to ensure everything was okay. She had to go in for an emergency C-section, which ultimately saved her life as there was a deceased baby still inside of her.”

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    “In addition to the babies they had, Olive and Pickle also accepted 2 babies whose mother, unfortunately, didn’t return for them”

    Image credits: kittenitwithkiki

    “A new family had moved in just days before and had noticed some babies in a wall. After waiting for mom for quite a few hours, she didn’t return and they knew time was of the essence to get the babies to a nursing mom.”

    “Apricot and Pretzel (we have a charcuterie theme) feel like they have always been here! They were accepted so fast by Pickle and Olive and fit right in with the other babies”

    Image credits: kittenitwithkiki

    “Moms and babies will all be available for adoption in a few weeks! Until then, they remain in a foster home with me!”

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    Image credits: kittenitwithkiki

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    Here’s what people had to say

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    Hidrėlėy

    Hidrėlėy

    Author, Pro member

    Read more »

    Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

    Read less »
    Hidrėlėy

    Hidrėlėy

    Author, Pro member

    Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

    Diana Lopetaitė

    Diana Lopetaitė

    Moderator, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Hey there, Pandas! My name is Diana (though some prefer to refer to me as Diane, Deanna, and even Liana sometimes), and I am a Community Post Moderator Lead for Bored Panda. As my position title states, I am one of the people (employed Pandas for bamboo) over here who work with the community side of things on this website to ensure all is well, and while at that, I also help various creators and artists get recognition for the incredible work they do by connecting them to a large worldwide audience. Other than that, outside of work, you can find me brewing a nice cup of coffee, making a pizza from scratch, or baking brownies. I also love traveling, concerts, and cats (heavy on that, because I am a cat mom).

    Read less »

    Diana Lopetaitė

    Diana Lopetaitė

    Moderator, BoredPanda staff

    Hey there, Pandas! My name is Diana (though some prefer to refer to me as Diane, Deanna, and even Liana sometimes), and I am a Community Post Moderator Lead for Bored Panda. As my position title states, I am one of the people (employed Pandas for bamboo) over here who work with the community side of things on this website to ensure all is well, and while at that, I also help various creators and artists get recognition for the incredible work they do by connecting them to a large worldwide audience. Other than that, outside of work, you can find me brewing a nice cup of coffee, making a pizza from scratch, or baking brownies. I also love traveling, concerts, and cats (heavy on that, because I am a cat mom).

    What do you think ?
    Add photo comments
    POST
    Baby Panda
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my kitty is a little like that but her divide in her face isn't very even or equal. indigowast...a8e242.jpg indigowastedmyphonebattery-6068581a8e242.jpg

    Aunt Messy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of ours is a black and grey mackerel tabby...with a perfect orange and white striped belly. It's not just on the face.

    Load More Replies...
    Seabeast
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm curious. How do they tell the difference between a chimera and a regular tortoiseshell? Torties also have split faces that are ginger on one side, black or tabby on the other.

    Constance Baker
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A tortie is simply a cat that has both black and orange (or both cream and gray) fur. They do not have "split faces" typically, but have both black and orange all over. Tabby refers to the coat pattern, not the color. A ginger cat can be a tabby. A tortie can be a tabby. A calico - that is, a tortie who also has white fur - can be a tabby.

    Load More Replies...
    Leota Hutton
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aww I would love to adopt the one with the two tone face, so adorable.

    Geoff Pearce
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Very cute. We too have a two faced cat. Our Gemma goes one better and has white whiskers of the light side of her face and black whiskers on the black side! IMG_0020-6...5f1bdf.jpg IMG_0020-606a6ed5f1bdf.jpg

    Mary Peace
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thanks for the pic, Geoff. Gemma is beautiful and I like the whiskers (but you didn't mean two faced cat, surely!)

    Load More Replies...
    June
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not very noticeable but this little lady is kinda "two-faced" (she's got a red mask on the left part of her cute face), that was how I used to distinguish her with her 4 sisters. Not really relevant but I wanted to share that cuteness overload with you :) IMG2020061...f16f75.jpg IMG20200619184230-6069eebf16f75.jpg

    Owen Salmon2028
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    cats are suprior to use they surpased us long ago heck the rule the world

    Znaya
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nature is perfect, what a beautiful face in a perfect line, mothers will always do their job. 😀

    Mila's Story
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awwwww. I so wish I had a cat but my mom says we have no space. These cats are adorable.

    Elizabeth Young
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

    Zena Marsh
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lovely story. Great mothers. Apricot and Pretzel are lucky to be so well looked after. Let's hope they go to loving homes.

    Lettie Adkins
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you to everyone that has helped with these kitties and please keep those two mama cats together they obviously thrive off one another

    jan williams
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thanks for the great content sir .i will also share with my friends & once again Thanks a Lot. The World's Trusted Online Pharmacy Stores for Australia,USA, UK, Canada and EU .Buy Generic Medicine We offer wide range of Generic Product with quality. efil-2-5mgs efil-5mg eli-20mg-tadalafil enthusia-100mg enthusia-50mg eunice-100mg

    Wonder Homie
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Guess you're only a noteworthy kitty if you look cute or have a story

    Commander Rex
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not at all, this one is particularly interesting, because of the strange face coloration

    Load More Replies...
    howdylee
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    While the kitten is cute, i'm not sure it qualifies as a Chimera. Looks to be more like a tortie whose separating line happens to be distinct down its nose. All the examples of Chimera I've seen, wouldn't have that patch of orange within the black (eyes are usually diff colors too).

    Rhys Tal Cernunnos
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You don't even know it's eye colors yet, it's still too young. Blasted know it all know nothing.

    Load More Replies...
    Baby Panda
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my kitty is a little like that but her divide in her face isn't very even or equal. indigowast...a8e242.jpg indigowastedmyphonebattery-6068581a8e242.jpg

    Aunt Messy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of ours is a black and grey mackerel tabby...with a perfect orange and white striped belly. It's not just on the face.

    Load More Replies...
    Seabeast
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm curious. How do they tell the difference between a chimera and a regular tortoiseshell? Torties also have split faces that are ginger on one side, black or tabby on the other.

    Constance Baker
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A tortie is simply a cat that has both black and orange (or both cream and gray) fur. They do not have "split faces" typically, but have both black and orange all over. Tabby refers to the coat pattern, not the color. A ginger cat can be a tabby. A tortie can be a tabby. A calico - that is, a tortie who also has white fur - can be a tabby.

    Load More Replies...
    Leota Hutton
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aww I would love to adopt the one with the two tone face, so adorable.

    Geoff Pearce
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Very cute. We too have a two faced cat. Our Gemma goes one better and has white whiskers of the light side of her face and black whiskers on the black side! IMG_0020-6...5f1bdf.jpg IMG_0020-606a6ed5f1bdf.jpg

    Mary Peace
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thanks for the pic, Geoff. Gemma is beautiful and I like the whiskers (but you didn't mean two faced cat, surely!)

    Load More Replies...
    June
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not very noticeable but this little lady is kinda "two-faced" (she's got a red mask on the left part of her cute face), that was how I used to distinguish her with her 4 sisters. Not really relevant but I wanted to share that cuteness overload with you :) IMG2020061...f16f75.jpg IMG20200619184230-6069eebf16f75.jpg

    Owen Salmon2028
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    cats are suprior to use they surpased us long ago heck the rule the world

    Znaya
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nature is perfect, what a beautiful face in a perfect line, mothers will always do their job. 😀

    Mila's Story
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awwwww. I so wish I had a cat but my mom says we have no space. These cats are adorable.

    Elizabeth Young
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

    Zena Marsh
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lovely story. Great mothers. Apricot and Pretzel are lucky to be so well looked after. Let's hope they go to loving homes.

    Lettie Adkins
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you to everyone that has helped with these kitties and please keep those two mama cats together they obviously thrive off one another

    jan williams
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thanks for the great content sir .i will also share with my friends & once again Thanks a Lot. The World's Trusted Online Pharmacy Stores for Australia,USA, UK, Canada and EU .Buy Generic Medicine We offer wide range of Generic Product with quality. efil-2-5mgs efil-5mg eli-20mg-tadalafil enthusia-100mg enthusia-50mg eunice-100mg

    Wonder Homie
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Guess you're only a noteworthy kitty if you look cute or have a story

    Commander Rex
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not at all, this one is particularly interesting, because of the strange face coloration

    Load More Replies...
    howdylee
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    While the kitten is cute, i'm not sure it qualifies as a Chimera. Looks to be more like a tortie whose separating line happens to be distinct down its nose. All the examples of Chimera I've seen, wouldn't have that patch of orange within the black (eyes are usually diff colors too).

    Rhys Tal Cernunnos
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You don't even know it's eye colors yet, it's still too young. Blasted know it all know nothing.

    Load More Replies...
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