Cubs on a Curious Quest
This heart-melting sighing was captured by wildlife photographer Frank de Beer, and takes us straight into the early days of two hyena cubs’ lives. Nestled in the grass alongside their mother, the cubs are still wobbling through their first steps.
With unsteady legs and eyes wide with wonder, the duo investigates the world around them, one paw at a time. Meanwhile, their mother enjoys a well-earned moment of rest as she keeps a close eye on her young ones.
The cubs tumble, wrestle, and begin to explore their grassy environment. Every sniff, bite, and wobble is part of their early learning, and it’s all irresistibly adorable.
A Chew Toy Discovery
Amid their exploration, one cub comes across the ultimate treasure: a piece of wood. To an adult, it’s nothing, but to a curious cub, it’s the perfect chew toy.
Gently nibbling at the bark, the cub tests its new find with puppy-like determination. Chewing is an essential developmental stage for many mammals, helping to strengthen jaws, relieve teething discomfort, and hone motor skills.
Whether they’re learning what’s edible or just satisfying a curious urge, this simple piece of wood becomes a prized possession in the cub’s playful world.
Mimicry and Grooming
One of the most delightful moments of the sighting is watching the cubs copy their mother’s behaviour. As she grooms herself with calm efficiency, one cub imitates her movements, awkwardly licking its leg.
This mimicry is an important step in social learning, where young animals observe and replicate adult behaviours. Throughout the video, the mother lovingly grooms both cubs, licking their fur clean and reinforcing the strong bond that will guide them through their early development.
These tender moments reveal the gentle side of one of Africa’s most misunderstood carnivores.
Sibling Roughhousing Begins Early
The cubs also can’t resist playing and wrestling with each other. Between chewing on sticks and tumbling through the grass, they pounce and nip at each other with uncoordinated glee.
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These playful skirmishes aren’t just for fun, they serve as early practice for the agility, strength, and social hierarchy cues they’ll need later in life. Wrestling also helps to solidify the bond between the siblings.
Hyena cubs often engage in these mock battles, which are critical for developing survival skills in a highly competitive clan structure.
The Other Side of Hyena Life
Though hyenas are often seen as fierce scavengers and cunning carnivores, this heartwarming encounter shows another side to their lives that includes tender moments of growth, bonding, and discovery. These curious cubs remind us that all animals, no matter their future role in the food chain, begin with a playful spirit and an eagerness to explore the world around them.
Frank was incredibly fortunate to have captured such a tender moment up close and personal. In every chew, tumble, and mimicry, we can witness the building blocks of a wild life just beginning.
