Cheetah Cubdate #6: The Grass is Always Greener

This update was written by carnivore keeper Amber Dedrick.
Five-week-old cheetah cubs in the tall grass.
The cheetahs make a pathway through the gras of their yard where they play and hide.

What does the world outside the cheetah cubs’ den look like? The grass is greener … and very tall! Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute keepers don’t mow a birthing yard until mom reliably brings the cubs into an adjacent yard, so as not to disturb the family.

One way keepers monitor their progress is by looking for the “flat” paths and spots that the cubs play and hide in when they are not in the den. As of today, May 19, the cubs have made it almost to the small yard, but not quite all the way.

So far, the cubs have been in and out of the den. They went back inside around 10:20 a.m., when Echo decided to eat her breakfast. As soon as she was done, she greeted them and called them back outside. Watch them on the Cheetah Cub Cam!

Related Species:

Continue Exploring

November 22, 2024

Meet a Tiny Forest Hero

Next time you’re walking through fallen leaves in a forest, keep an eye out for the Eastern red-backed salamander—a small woodland creature with a huge role to play.

October 15, 2024

Giant Pandas Arrive From China

Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) Tuesday, Oct. 15

October 04, 2024

Winter Habitat Impacts Migration

A new study shows environmental conditions in migratory birds’ winter homes affect their ability to survive the rest of the year.