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Leopard Cub Jumps Out Of A Tree To Sneak Up On Its Mom

Leopard cubs sneaks up on its mom. Image by londolozi on Instagram.

Few creatures embody strength and grace in the wilderness like the leopard. Let’s discover how baby leopards are taught how to hunt with a video featuring two leopard cubs playing in a tree and practicing their jump-sneaking techniques.

The Leopard

LEOPARD panthera pardus, 4 MONTH OLD CUB IN A TREE, NAMIBIA. Image by slowmotiongli via depositphotos.com

Leopards are predators that inhabit diverse habitats, from dense forests to arid savannas. Their golden coats are adorned with dark rosette patterns that allow them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings, making them elusive. Surprisingly enough, even though their coats do not seem camouflage-worthy, leopards are one of the world’s most well-camouflaged creatures, blending in without much effort.

Solitary Stalkers

leopard sleep
Leopard asleep in a tree. Image by shalamov via depositphotos.com

Unlike other big cats, leopards are solitary creatures, preferring to roam their territories alone. This independence allows them to be versatile hunters, adept at adapting to various environments and prey. From when they are old enough to learn to hunt, around 3 months of age, their mothers take them out into the savannah, where they start to learn the basics.

Masterful Hunters

leopard
Leopard, panthera pardus, Adult standing in Tree, with a Kill, Moremi Reserve, Okavango Delta in Botswana. Image by slowmotiongli via depositphotos.com

Leopards are renowned for their stealth and agility, making them formidable hunters. They rely on ambush tactics, silently stalking their prey before pouncing with lightning speed. Their powerful jaws and retractable claws ensure a swift and efficient kill.

When cubs are learning to hunt, their mothers take them on small hunts targeting smaller animals, they keep their heads low and their stomachs close to the ground to sneak up on their unsuspecting prey.

Maternal Bonds

A female leopard takes a nap while it cub licks and grooms its mother in Sabi Sands Game Reserve in greater Kruger National Park, South Africa.
A female leopard takes a nap while it cub licks and grooms its mother in Sabi Sands Game Reserve in greater Kruger National Park, South Africa. Image by EEI_Tony via Depositphotos

The bond between a leopard mother and her cub is tender yet essential for survival. Mothers fiercely protect and nurture their young, imparting crucial hunting skills and survival instincts. Playful interactions, like the one captured in the video, foster crucial learning experiences for the cub. When out and about when their mother is resting, the cubs tend to play with each other learning invaluable skill sin the process, such as climbing and sneaking up on each other.

Leopard Cub Sneaks Up On Its Mother

Leopard. Image by Havranka via Depositphotos
Leopard. Image by Havranka via Depositphotos

The video of the leopard cub playfully pouncing on its mother highlights the importance of play in honing essential hunting skills. The cub is high up in a tree and jumps down on top of its mother, getting a chance to practice its hunting skills from above. Through such playful interactions, cubs learn the art of stealth, coordination, and timing, crucial for their future as successful hunters.

Conclusion

Leopard sleeping in a tree
Leopard sleeping in a tree. Image by hedrus via depositphotos.com

The playful behaviors of the leopard cub in the video offer a glimpse into the intricate world of these magnificent predators. I hope you enjoyed reading about the leopard cub that sneaked up to its mom. To read more stories like this, check out the articles below:

Latest posts by Alana Theron, BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology (see all)