Rare kittens given first taste of meat at US zoo

Two black-footed cat kittens were given their first taste of meat at the San Diego Zoo.

Ryder and his sister Skyler were born on April 28 and now weigh a pound and a half (690 grammes) each.

While they are still being nursed by their mother, keepers have begun using tongs to feed them a carnivorous diet of small pieces of meat.

The kittens will weigh up to three pounds (907-1,361 grammes) and measure up to 20 inches (51 centimetres) in length when full-grown.

Black-footed cats are considered the deadliest cats in the world, with a success rate when hunting of 60%.

In a single night, one black-footed cat can consume up to 14 rodents and birds.

The black-footed cats are native to southern Africa, where around 10,000 remain.

Their name comes from the black pads and thick, black hair on the soles of their feet, which help protect them from the hot sand.