Big cats are very protective of their cubs - and none more so than
cheetah mums who work alone to raise their littlies. This mum was
spotted on the Southern Serengeti, lying in lush vegetation near a
water source watching over her brood. Initially we spotted one cub,
then a couple more and finally delighted in watching the four siblings
practise tree climbing. Their distinctive spots are yet to fully
emerge and do so from the paws up. The two toned markings of the cubs
mimic those of the similarly sized but much more feisty honey badger.
It's known predators steer clear of adult honey badgers because of
their ferocious fighting spirit, so it's remarkable that young cheetah
cubs sport this camouflage to provide some passive protection while
otherwise left defenceless when mum has to go hunting