The wildcat is a species with a theoretical lifespan of from 9 years 6 months to 19 years, and a typical lifespan of from 12 to 18 years, with a maximum lifespan of 19 years; the age of sexual maturity for males or females occurs from 7 months 3 weeks to 1 year. The "Embryo" stage implies the development of the embryo inside the mother for about two months, after which the "Kitten" stage begins, when the kitten is born blind and helpless, living this period with the mother in a shelter. The kitten's eyes open at an age of from 1 to 2 weeks, and it starts walking from 2 weeks 4 days to 4 weeks. Then comes the "Adult" stage, which lasts from 1 to 15 years, when the cat hunts independently and is capable of reproduction.