When they’re young, cheetahs have a bushy patch of white fur across their backs. Some zoologists believe it’s an adaptation to make them look more like honey badgers, and therefore more ferocious looking to would-be predators. I photographed this not-so-scary-looking cub one afternoon in the Masai Mara of Kenya. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 290mm) ISO 400, f/7.1 at 1/800th of a second.
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When they’re young, cheetahs have a bushy patch of white fur across their backs. Some zoologists believe it’s an adaptation to make them look more like honey badgers, and therefore more ferocious looking to would-be predators. I photographed this not-so-scary-looking cub one afternoon in the Masai Mara of Kenya. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 290mm) ISO 400, f/7.1 at 1/800th of a second.
What an interesting critter. Have never seen a cheetah cub photo. Thanks for posting this young one, Sean!
Thanks Sue. Yes, it’s almost like they molt as they grow older.
My mom always said i looked like a honey badger as a child, and none of the kids at school ever hunted me, so maybe there’s something to that.
I’m glad you grew out of your honey badger phase Louis.
So cute! I guess as they age they become sleeker looking. But I love the look of this young cheetah. So beautiful.
They do change quite a bit as they age.
Awh…a babe. Precious! They all grow up too fast, human and animal babies.
True. And especially wild cats. The cheetah in my profile pic is only 6 months old.
So sweet and floofy! Bet their fur helps w camouflage as they are left alone when mom hunts.
For sure Jennifer. Nature doing its thing.
OMG!! This little one is SO CUTE!!!! What a fluffball. Love the theory on why it has that white fur patch — don’t mess with the Honey Badgers!
Who knows, but it does seem to make sense.