A queen is a she-cat that is expecting or has recently given birth to a litter of kits.[1] Though known to be overly-protective of kits,[2] queens usually are compassionate and kind, and in many cases they have been known to convince their mates or Clan leaders to take in cats in need of help[3]
Description
When a warrior she-cat is expecting kits or has recently given birth to a litter of kits, they become known as a queen and move to the nursery.[4] When she-cats become queens, they give up their title and duties as a warrior, however, they become a warrior again once their kits have been apprenticed. Some she-cats, though, prefer to stay in the nursery even after their kits have become apprentices such as Daisy and Ferncloud.[5] Queens have a vital role in continuing the Clans' survival as they give birth to the next generation of warriors. When a warrior dies, a queen might prepare the body with herbs for the vigil.[6] Some she-cats can't have kits, however much they want them.[7] If a queen does not wish to tell who the father of the kits is to the Clan, that is her choice.[8] Queens usually adore their kits and want to make sure that they can be the best that they can be.[9]
Nursing
Queens move to the nursery about a moon before giving birth, surrendering their warrior duties. They have their food delivered to them by their Clanmates as they become less mobile.[10] A she-cat's pregnancy is just over two moons, after which she gives birth to the possible litter of one to five kits.[11] The kits usually open their eyes soon, some almost from the moment born, and others in a day or two.[12] Queens that have not kitted yet have no milk-scent; in contrast, those who have kitted have the milk-scent on them.[13]
While kits are weaned at two moons, the queens remain in the nursery until they are named apprentices (typically around six moons) to ensure proper care and education. Sometimes - although it is very rare - a queen leaves the nursery before her kit(s) become apprentices (such as how Moonflower did[14]). Also, sometimes they leave before all of their kits become apprentices, such as Rainflower.[15]
When a queen is unable to produce enough milk to feed her kits, another queen who has plenty of milk to spare will help her nurse until the kits are ready for fresh-kill such as Daisy and Ferncloud did when Squirrelflight didn't have any milk.[16] Queens will also feed kits from outside of the Clan; for example, when Cloudkit was brought to ThunderClan, Frostfur convinced Brindleface to feed him.[3]
A she-cat may request to stay in the nursery after her kit(s) are apprenticed, instead of resuming warrior duties.[17] Goldenflower, Ferncloud and Daisy often helped out when needed in the nursery.[18]
Borage leaves are sometimes given to queens that cannot produce milk for their kits,[19] and parsley for those who still have milk even though they don't have kits.[20]
Restrictions
A medicine cat, either male or female, is not allowed to take a mate and have kits, in order to not be distracted from their mission and work. Leafpool and Yellowfang were two examples of breaking this rule[21][22].
An apprentice never has kits, most likely to avoid interrupting their training, and a result of being too young. [23]
A female leader or deputy generally does not have kits either (although it is not explicitly forbidden, as Leafstar had kits), because looking after them would keep her away from her leader or deputy duties for six moons or more.[24] Male leaders, on the other hand, frequently father a she-cat's kits, such as Hailstar,[25] Pinestar[26], Crookedstar[source?], and Firestar.[27]
List of Queens
ThunderClan
RiverClan
Queen | Mate | Kits |
---|---|---|
Rainflower | Shellheart | Oakheart, Crookedstar[75] |
Hailstar | Voleclaw, Petaldust, Beetlenose[75] | |
Piketooth | Skyheart, Blackclaw[77] | |
Lakeshine | Cedarpelt | Frogleap, Sunfish[79] |
Ottersplash | Timberfur | Loudbelly, Reedtail, Sedgecreek[81] |
Brightsky | Mudfur | Three unnamed kits, Leopardstar[83] |
Softwing | Owlfur | Mallowtail, Dawnbright[85] |
Sunfish | Beetlenose | Vixenkit, Grasskit[87] |
Willowbreeze | Crookedstar | Silverstream,[88] Willowkit, Minnowkit[89] |
Graypool | Rippleclaw | Splashkit, Morningkit,[90]Unnamed tabby kit[91] |
Unnamed she-cat | Shellheart's Grandfather | Unnamed she-kit[92] |
Mistystar | Unknown | Reedwhisker, Pikepaw, Primrosepaw, Perchkit |
WindClan
Queen | Mate | Kits |
---|---|---|
Ashfoot | Unknown | Crowfeather,[93] Eaglekit,[94] Two Unnamed kits [95] |
Nightcloud | Crowfeather | Breezepelt, Unidentified Kits[96] |
Wind | Gorsestar | Unidentified kits[97] |
ShadowClan
Queen | Mate | Kits |
---|---|---|
Brightflower | Brackenfoot[98] | Yellowfang, Rowanberry. Nutwhisker[99], Marigoldkit, Mintkit[100] |
Lizardstripe | Mudclaw | Tangleburr, Runningnose, Deerfoot[101] |
Yellowfang | Raggedstar | Brokenstar, Two Unnamed she-kits[103] |
Tawnypelt | Rowanclaw | Tigerheart, Flametail, Dawnpelt[105] |
Kinkfur | Unknown | Dewkit, Mistkit, Sparrowkit [106] |
SkyClan
Queen | Mate | Kits |
---|---|---|
Leafstar | Billystorm | Firekit, Stormkit, Harrykit[108] |
Shiningheart | Braveheart | Brightspirit |
Clovertail | Patchfoot | Birdpaw, Honeypaw, Sandypaw[111] |
Fallowfern | Waspwhisker | Plumwillow, Creekfeather, Rabbitleap, Nettlesplash[110] |
Birdflight | Cloudstar | Gorseclaw (TC), Spottedpelt[114] |
Petalnose | Rainfur | Mintfur, Sagepaw[115] |
Half-Clan
Queen | Mate | Kits |
---|---|---|
Fallowtail | Reedfeather | Willowbreeze, Graypool[117] |
Bluestar | Oakheart | Mistystar, Stonefur, Mosskit[119] |
Crowfeather | Jayfeather, Hollyleaf, Lionblaze[120] | |
Tigerstar | Hawkfrost, Mothwing,[123] Tadpole[124] | |
Mapleshade | Shellheart's Grandfather | Shellheart |
Silverstream | Graystripe | Stormfur, Feathertail[125] |
The Ancients
Queen | Mate | Kits |
---|---|---|
Stone Song | Fallen Leaves,[127] Unidentified kits[128] | |
Falcon Swoop | Falling Rain | Dove's Wing, Jay's Wing[130] |
Owl Feather | Jagged Lightning | Strong Pounce,[132] Lapping Wave, Running Fox[133] |
Rising Moon | Chasing Clouds | Stoneteller |
Tribe of Rushing Water
Queen | Mate | Kits |
---|---|---|
Lark, Pine[137] |
Kittypets
Queen | Mate | Kits |
---|---|---|
Nutmeg |
Jake | Firestar,[139] Princess,[140] Unidentified Kits[141] |
Jake | Scourge, Socks, Ruby[143] | |
Moss | Husker | Pad, Little Mew, Raindrop, Birdy[144] |
Loners
Queen | Mate | Kits |
---|---|---|
Mitzi (Lo) | Unknown | Mist (Lo), Piper, Soot, Magpie[145] |
Smoky | Berrynose, Mousewhisker, Hazeltail[147] |
Rogues
Queen | Mate | Kits |
---|---|---|
Minty | Willie | Cloudy, Sniff, Icicle, Snowflake[149] |
Trivia
- In the first books of the Original Arc, "queen" seems to mean any she-cat[150][151] (even female elders are named queens such as One-eye and Dappletail)[152] not just a nursing cat.
See Also
References
- ↑ Revealed in Into the Wild, page 32
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Revealed in Into the Wild, page 153
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 227
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 461
- ↑ From Sunset on, they have been listed as queens in the allgiances
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 140
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 392
- ↑ Revealed in Forest of Secrets, page 232
- ↑ Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 183
- ↑ Revealed in Into the Wild, page 49
- ↑ No known queen has not had a litter of over five kits.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 8
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 10
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 48
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 66
- ↑ Revealed in The Sight, page 8
- ↑ Revealed in Twilight, page 143
- ↑ Revealed in Dark River, page 87
- ↑ Revealed in Sunrise, page 289
- ↑ Revealed in Sunrise, page 245
- ↑ As revealed by the authors
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 131
- ↑ No apprentice in the series has ever had kits
- ↑ No known deputy has had kits while doing their job
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 62
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 266
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 509
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 47
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 24
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 18
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, pages 18-19
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 32
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 362
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 315
- ↑ Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 44
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook page
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 329
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's facebook page
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 320
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 75
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 216
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's facebook page
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's facebook page
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 116
- ↑ Revealed in Rising Storm, pages 19-20
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's facebook page
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 410
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 467
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, pages 95-97
- ↑ Revealed in Forest of Secrets, pages 62-63
- ↑ Revealed in Rising Storm, pages 41-42
- ↑ Revealed in Forest of Secrets, page 274
- ↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest, pages 99-100
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook page
- ↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 18
- ↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 19
- ↑ Revealed in Midnight, page 84
- ↑ Revealed in The Sight, page 5
- ↑ Revealed in Midnight, page 17
- ↑ Revealed in The Last Hope, page 216
- ↑ 61.0 61.1 Revealed in Sunset, page 25
- ↑ Revealed in The Fourth Apprentice, page 146
- ↑ Revealed in Long Shadows, page 236
- ↑ Revealed in Outcast, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Long Shadows, page 288
- ↑ Revealed in Sunrise, page 317
- ↑ Revealed in The Fourth Apprentice, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in The Fourth Apprentice, page 299
- ↑ Revealed in Warrior's Return, page 87
- ↑ Revealed in Eclipse, page 159
- ↑ Revealed on Kate's official blog [1]
- ↑ Revealed in The Last Hope, page 242
- ↑ Revealed on Kate's official blog [2]
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's facebook page
- ↑ 75.0 75.1 Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 1
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 248
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 209
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 222
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 292
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 259
- ↑ Revealed in the Warriors App
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 279
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 405
- ↑ 85.0 85.1 Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 419
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 465
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 486
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's facebook page
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 474
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 447
- ↑ Revealed in Forest of Secrets, page 2
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 480
- ↑ 93.0 93.1 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 37
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 32
- ↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 40
- ↑ Revealed in After Sunset: We Need to Talk, page 2
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 94
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, page 467
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, page 473
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, pages 341-342
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 67
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 71
- ↑ Revealed in the Ultimate Leader Election: Firestar, page 3
- ↑ Revealed in Dark River, pages 20-21
- ↑ Revealed in Night Whispers, page 247
- ↑ Revealed in The Rescue, page 1
- ↑ Revealed in The Rescue, page 87
- ↑ Revealed in Beyond the Code: Brightspirit's Mercy, page 6
- ↑ 110.0 110.1 Revealed in SkyClan's Destiny, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in The Rescue, page 10
- ↑ Revealed in SkyClan's Destiny, page 15
- ↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 6
- ↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 496
- ↑ 115.0 115.1 Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 372
- ↑ Revealed in Battles of the Clans, page 54
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Forest of Secrets, pages 231-234
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 465
- ↑ 120.0 120.1 Revealed in Sunrise, page 246
- ↑ Revealed in Sunrise, page 292
- ↑ Revealed in Dawn, page 229
- ↑ Revealed in Moonrise, page 258
- ↑ Revealed in Return to the Clans, page 2
- ↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 39
- ↑ Revealed in Long Shadows, page 187
- ↑ Revealed in Long Shadows, page 190
- ↑ Revealed in Dark River, page 1
- ↑ Revealed in Long Shadows, page 217
- ↑ Revealed in Long Shadows, page 188
- ↑ Revealed in Long Shadows, page 215
- ↑ Revealed in Sign of the Moon, page 262
- ↑ Revealed in Sign of the Moon, page 258
- ↑ Revealed in Long Shadows, page 220
- ↑ Revealed in Long Shadows, page 216
- ↑ Revealed in The Sight, pages 22-23
- ↑ 137.0 137.1 Revealed in Sign of the Moon, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's facebook page
- ↑ Revealed in Warriors App
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 111
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 116
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's facebook page
- ↑ Revealed in The Rise of Scourge, page 3
- ↑ Revealed in Warrior's Refuge, page 34
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 86
- ↑ Revealed in Sunset, page 193
- ↑ Revealed in The Forgotten Warrior, page 146
- ↑ Revealed in Shattered Peace, page 23
- ↑ Revealed in Shattered Peace, page 24
- ↑ Revealed in Into the Wild, page 42, 102, 193, 262
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 25
- ↑ Revealed in Into the Wild, pages 49-50