Welcome to Fast Facts with Reasons for Hope!
I’m Carl Kerby.
Today, we’re talking about the astonishing features of a cuddly creature – the baby cheetah.
A female cheetah typically gives birth to 3 to 5 cubs each year. But, the odds are stacked against them right from the start – cheetah cubs have a 90% mortality rate within the first three months of their life. Is it any wonder that they have a super-protective mama?!?
In the first few weeks, she’ll move the cubs constantly from den to den, hiding them while she’s hunting. The cubs are born blind, but they develop very quickly. At just 3 weeks, they’ll have teeth cutting through and have grown a thick yellow-gray coat on their back called a mantle. This mantle protects the cubs from the sun and rain and helps camouflage them in the shadows. It also deters the cub from predators because it makes them look like the feisty carnivorous honey badger! Back off brother!
Cheetahs are awesome, but they’re just one of many of God’s amazing creatures. We’ll talk about another one next time. Until then … stay bold!
Carl Kerby is the founder of Reasons for Hope and co-creator of the DeBunked apologetic video series. His radio feature, Fast Facts, is heard weekly on VCY America, Saturdays at 9:25 AM Central.
