The cubs put up an enthusiastic front as they wrestled in clear view of game viewers.
The importance of play in developing cheetahs
While playing might seem a frivolous activity, it is in fact vital for a cheetah cub’s development.
Young cheetahs often play with each other and sometimes even with their mother! This is actually critical survival training.
These cheetah cubs wrestled with one another in the long grass. Cheetah are most at home in grasslands such as in this setting. The expansive stretches of grass give them ample room to run during a hunt, as their success as hunters is largely dependent on speed.
The grass also provides the perfect camouflage for the cubs, which are born with whitish long fur on their backs. This fur on their backs allows them to blend in with the surroundings of their natural habitat.
However, these cubs’ bounteous behaviour gave their presence away. It was hard not to see them as they tossed about in the long grass!
Cubs wrestle with endless energy
Cheetah cubs are also extremely energetic! They spend a lot of time wrestling, chasing, batting, and pouncing on each other. These ones showed no sign of weariness.
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However, what looks like simple play is really practice for hunting. Through play, they learn skills like stalking, chasing, balance, and coordination.
Most of the most intense play happens between siblings, although mother cheetahs sometimes engage in play-like behaviour with their cubs.
Cheetah mother enjoys ‘time out’ while cubs play
The cubs’ mother lounged in the long grass while the cubs played behind her. While she appeared quite relaxed, most of her time would be spent teaching and looking after the cubs.
Mother cheetahs are hands-on in teaching her cubs survival skills. Mother cheetahs teach mainly through demonstration and guided experience.
Cubs learn by watching their mother hunt, and she may even release captured prey so they can practice catching it themselves. As they grow older, she also brings back live prey for them to chase and dispatch, helping them develop real hunting ability.
For now, the cubs remained focused on one another and while they were ‘learning’ through their play, it seemed learning was the last thing on their minds.
A glimpse into cheetah family life
Their mother managed to get in some well-deserved rest, reserving her energy for later motherly conquests. Every now and then she would lift her head and give the game viewers parked nearby something to get excited about. However, her efforts were mostly half-hearted and the cubs were the ones which stole the spotlight for that moment.
Interestingly, cubs can sometimes be so playful that they accidentally ruin hunts by moving or playing while their mother is stalking prey, showing how strong their instinct to play is during development.
This delightful sighting allowed game viewers to witness the beautiful relationships which exist between a cheetah mother and her cubs. At the same time, to see firsthand the playfulness inherent in young cheetahs.
