11/25/2024
The success of the cubs depends largely on the success of the mother, since as they grow older, the cubs learn from her example. Nashipae’s cubs are now 16 months old and exhibit good hunting abilities. Most often, young females are more successful in hunting than males. But the Nashipae’s family is one of the few exceptions. The brother of Neema and Nashipae was the most successful of Rani’s three cubs, and Nashipae’s son also hunts on his own. Rani was one of the few females who often caught Warthog piglets, and Nashipae uses every opportunity to get a piglet, and her offspring follow her example. However, this is not an easy task, as adult warthogs are extremely protective and often take on cheetahs as a family. When hunting antelopes, the Nashipae’s cubs use a strategy of driving the antelopes into a ravine, where they are easier to catch. This is especially important now that Nashipay is limping on her back and front legs, especially after an unsuccessful jump from a tree 9 days ago. And while the female is recovering, now it largely depends on the young how often the family will be fed. When food is scarce, cheetahs eat the stomach lining and skin of antelopes. A large family requires more food every day. Therefore, on the one hand, family life requires sharing kills, but on the other hand, it provides the least successful hunters with food, and all members of the group share their time for vigilance, which contributes to the survival of all group members.
