Female cheetahs have unusually large litters of up to eight cubs. With males playing no role in their upbringing, these SuperMoms do an excellent job in a hostile environment.
Shlomo Wainer sent this footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it at Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa.
Watch the video here:
A good start
Shlomo’s game drive got off to a good start when he encountered a small herd of elephants. The owners reintroduced elephants to Phinda in 1991 after a prolonged absence.
The land was reclaimed for conservation in the early 90s. Consequently, a massive wildlife reintroduction project saw many species return to land they’d last inhabited up to a century prior.
Another returnee
Subsequently, Shlomo spotted another of the reserve’s returnees emerging onto the road. A lone female cheetah, the descendant of several cheetahs reintroduced to the reserve from 1992.
Cheetahs are the world’s fastest land mammals, capable of speeds in excess of 100 km/h. Their spotted coat and distinctive black “tear-marks” make them easily recognisable.
Another key characteristic is a long, flat tail that acts as a counterweight in high-speed turns. Additionally, the tail’s black-banded end, tipped with a white patch, is a distinctive feature.
Spotted in the long grass
As Shlomo panned his camera into the long grass, a movement through the grass revealed why this white tuft is important.
Although its small size and cryptic camouflage made it barely visible, a cheetah cub peered at the game drive vehicle.
As mother cheetahs walk ahead of their cubs, the tip of their tail hangs roughly at the height of the cubs’ heads. Therefore, by simply following the white patch, they can follow their Mum through long grass and in low light.
More than meets the eye
Subsequently, we see further movement. It is a second cub that joins its curious sibling.
The cubs appear to be less than three months old. They’re born completely helpless after a 90-day gestation.
Patient Mum
Meanwhile, up ahead, Mum waits patiently for her family to catch up. As the first cub emerges, it looks towards Shlomo, showing a mix of curiosity and nerves as it takes in the scene.
Subsequently, a total of five cubs appear. Cheetahs have unusually large litters. This may be an evolutionary adaptation to compensate for a high infant mortality rate.
Then, having regrouped, Mum scans the surroundings before continuing on the journey.
Biomimcry
As the cubs scamper after their mother, we note that the fur on their backs is much longer and pale in colour. It is thought that this long hair mimics the coat of a honey badger, a notoriously ill-tempered beast, feared by most other creatures.
Obediently, the cubs follow their mother across the road as she re-enters the long grass. However, the last cub lags slightly, curious about everything it sees.
Then, just as it is about to disappear, it stops and looks down the road. Better hurry, little guy. It’s a big bad world out there.
Thankfully, it soon realizes it is getting left behind and darts after its siblings. As the video ends, the family merges into the surrounding grasslands, leaving Shlomo grateful for a very special sighting.
