And in that respect, they behave much like wild animals,

在捕猎方面 他们就像野生的一样

they use the same hunting tactics that wild cats do,

他们与野猫运用同样的捕猎技巧

and every cat still has within it the instinct to go hunting.

每只猫都还保留着狩猎的本能

Cats are undoubtedly much wilder

毫无疑问 猫的习性比一般家畜

than the average domestic animal is.

更接近野生动物

They choose their own mates,

他们会自己选择配偶

who is going to father which kittens,

决定由谁来照料某只小猫

rather than, as with most domestic animals

而不是像大多数家畜

like sheep or cattle, or whatever,

比如羊和牛或其他家畜

it's the farmer that makes the decisions.

是由农场主决定一切

Cats are still really in charge of their own destinies.

猫的生活仍然完全由他们自己掌控

And whether they do become our pets

而他们能否成为我们的宠物

is down to how they are reared as kittens.

是由他们小时候的养育方式决定的

There is really a very short window of opportunity

这是一个稍纵即逝的机会

during which kittens can learn about

能让小猫们学会

how to socialize with people.

如何与人类打交道

It's just between about four weeks of age and eight weeks,

这个机会在他们四周到八周大之间

which is considerably shorter than other domestic animals.

与其他家畜相比 这段时间非常之短

So if a kitten doesn't meet people

所以如果小猫出生头八周内

within that first eight weeks

没有接触过人类

then it essentially goes feral,

它将很难与人亲近

it becomes an animal which is more or less like a wild animal.

变得更像是一只野生动物

重点解释：

1.wild animals 野生动物

例句：A collection of live wild animals on exhibition.

动物展览活的野生动物的展览

2.rather than 而非...

例句：I prefer to walk there rather than take a bus.

与其坐公共汽车去,还不如走路去。

3.in charge of 负责； 主管

例句：You're responsible to whoever is in charge of sales.

你要向主管销售的人负责。