1. Litter Size: The average litter size for a domestic cat is around 4-6 kittens. For this example, let's assume an average litter size of 5 kittens.
2. Frequency of Breeding Cycles: A female cat typically goes into estrus (heat) every 2-3 weeks during the breeding season. Assuming an average of 2 estrus cycles every month, a cat could potentially mate and become pregnant every 1.5 months.
3. Gestation Period: The gestation period for cats is approximately 63 days (or 9 weeks). A cat can give birth to a new litter after the end of the gestation period.
4. Number of Breeding Attempts in 18 Months: In a span of 18 months, a cat may potentially have 12 opportunities to mate and become pregnant (2 estrus cycles per month x 12 months).
5. Success Rate of Breeding Attempts: Not all breeding attempts result in pregnancy. Factors like the cat's age, health, and the success of the mating process can influence the probability of a successful pregnancy. For this calculation, let's assume a 75% success rate (successful pregnancy in 75% of the breeding attempts).
Calculation:
Number of successful breeding attempts = 12 estrus cycles x 75% success rate = 9
Assuming an average litter size of 5 kittens per successful pregnancy:
Total descendants in 18 months = 9 successful pregnancies x 5 kittens per litter = 45 kittens
Please note that this calculation is based on general assumptions and may vary depending on the specific circumstances and reproductive health of the individual cat.