Carefree Cheetah Cub
by Sylvia J Zarco
Title
Carefree Cheetah Cub
Artist
Sylvia J Zarco
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
With wide open expanses and herds of gazelle, the savanna of Serengeti is the perfect landscape for cheetah. But it also harbors incredible danger and challenges that stack odds against this beautiful cat. Throughout the cheetah's range, cub mortality rates are estimated at 50%-70%, but in the Serengeti ecosystem it's up to 90%. That means for every 10 cubs born, only one will reach adulthood. This cub is one in a litter of 3 so the numbers aren't in his or his siblings favor. No wonder there is such a serious look on this young face, a face that's naturally streaked with black tear marks.
But for this moment, this little guy is safe, happy and defying the odds. With a mantle of long golden fur that helps him blend into the tall grass (a feature that starts to disappear at 3 months), with a dedicated Mom up ahead clearing safe passage for her cubs, he's free to focus on oncoming siblings so he can decide if he'd prefer a game of chase or be chased. But it's good he takes this game seriously. Speed is the cheetah's weapon. It's how they catch prey and how they elude other predators determined to eliminate them from competition, no matter how old, cute or fast they are.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Uploaded
April 3rd, 2015
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