The little leopard padded carefully along the same path its mother walked, as spectators looked on.
The small animal placed each paw where its mother had walked and remained close to Mom. Its distinctive spots, called rosettes, ensured that it remained camouflaged.
Female leopard spotted moving through grass
Initially it appeared there was just one leopard. The female leopard walked carefully through the long grass and she alone was enough to warrant a measure of awe.
Leopards are strong, agile creatures and she moved with determination.
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Leopard cub sighted in grass behind mother
However, it soon became apparent that she was not alone. She had a little one in tow.
Following in Mom’s steps is how leopard cubs learn to survive. They will shadow their mothers in near silence, watching every movement and absorbing lessons without a single word being spoken.
The mother led with purpose, alert to every sound and scent. All this while the cub imitated her low posture, learning how to stay hidden in the open.
The strong mother-cub bond
For the first 18 to 24 months of its life, a leopard cub depends entirely on its mother for food, protection and survival skills.
Cubs learn where to walk, when to freeze, and how to read danger simply by following their mother’s lead.
These leopards moved as a team and seemed unperturbed by the presence of motorists.
Unlike lions, leopards are solitary hunters, so this close bond between mother and cub is vital. Each careful step taken behind her is a step toward independence, as the young leopard prepares for a future where it will one day walk the bushveld paths alone.
The importance of Mom
Just as human children learn by example, so too do leopard cubs. Usually, the leopard mother will give birth to one to three cubs after a gestation period of about three months.
These cubs are born blind and helpless. For this reason, they rely entirely on their mother for warmth, protection and food. For the first few weeks, she keeps them hidden in dense bush, rocky crevices or hollow logs, moving them often to avoid predators like lions, hyenas and even other leopards.
The mother leopard is extremely protective and will fiercely defend her cubs if threatened, although she may abandon a den if she senses danger nearby.
She will hunt alone and return regularly to nurse her cubs, bringing them milk until they are about three months old. Around this time, she will slowly introduces them to meat.
Cubs will begin following their mother at around two to three months.
This cub was still dependent on its mother and she remained vigilant for its safety. Having emerged from the long grass, the mother and her cub walked in full view of the game viewers, allowing for some breathtaking footage to be taken.
They then disappeared once more into the thicket, so well camouflaged it was hard to believe they had even been there in the first place!