Just like normal house cat kittens, the cubs of big cats are extremely vulnerable during the first few months of their lives. While they might look cute to humans, many other animals will see them only as food.
This cheetah mother, spotted by Dean Robinson, has the daunting task of making sure as many of her cubs as possible reach adulthood, and ensuring they survive these first few months is vital to that goal.
Lined Up In A Neat Row
Although kittens and cubs of any size are typically mischievous little things, the three cubs under the care of this cheetah were behaving themselves remarkably well.
It then became clear that these three cubs were not, perhaps, model examples. As the mother cheetah picked her way delicately through the underbrush, she was accompanied by two more cubs that had remained focused on the task, rather than getting left behind.
She eventually realized that three of her cubs had remained neatly lined up on the road instead of following her, and doubled back to remind them that they were in the process of relocating. These silly cubs had gotten distracted, and were at risk of being left behind.
Hard To Spot
Once they’d realized their mistake, the cubs hurried to catch up with the rest of their family, with one of them still staying behind a little longer, as if reluctant to plunge into the long grass that was keeping the rest of them safe from predators.
Their coats blended perfectly with their surroundings, making them difficult to spot as they moved from the road to the thick underbrush bordering it on either side.
Cheetahs are famous for their speed, while it’s leopards which hold the title of being the stealthiest big cat. This cheetah family had decided to give leopards a run for their money by hiding in the long grass, however, and they were doing an excellent job of being unseen.
A Very Risky Day
This mother looked like she was shepherding five cubs along, which is on the large side of a litter. They were still young enough to be mostly fluff, and it’s likely that their mother was moving them from one hidden den to another.
Due to their inexperience and small size, these cubs would be unable to defend themselves against hungry predators, making their protection a top priority for their mother. Perhaps this is what made the cubs wary of the long grass, anything could be hiding and ready to leap out.
To keep them safe, this cheetah will hide them in areas that predators cannot easily reach, and often move them from one such hidden place to another to give them the best chance of survival. This small migration is likely one such period, making it a vulnerable time for the cubs.
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Disappearing Into The Wilderness
Once they’d all rejoined each other in the long grass, the cheetah mother would have led them on their way through the brush, looking out for a good spot to hide the cubs away while she could go out and hunt food for them all.
Soon they’d be joining her on those hunts, and after they’d learned enough to survive on their own they’d be striking off into the wilderness to lead their own independent lives.