“Son Worship”

A pencil drawing of a cheetah mother (Acinonyx jubatus) and cub.

Sunning themselves in the early morning light, this cheetah mother and three-month old male cub were on the look out for a meal. Choosing a termite mound as a raised platform from which she could observe the surrounding plains, the elevated position also allowed the two of them to warm up after a chilly winter’s night. At this age the cub is still covered in thick fluffy hair, which not only helps to maintain body temperature but is believed to offer some camouflage in the dry grass from lions, leopards and hyenas.