The Newest, Cutest Baby Animals from the World's Zoos & Aquariums

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In September, ZooBorns brought you the debut of Zoo Basel's troublesome cheetah trio. Last month, photographer Tambako the Jaguar followed up on the 5-month-old cubs and produced this series of stunning shots. Cheetahs are unique among cats both for their exceptional speed (up to 75 mph) and inability to climb trees.

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13 responses to “Checking in on the Swiss Cheetah Triplets”

  1. Lauren Avatar
    Lauren

    Beautiful!

  2. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    Haha, they’re so cute! They look like little punks with their fuzzy heads, especially next to mom.

  3. Smilla Avatar
    Smilla

    Wow. Those kitties look pretty serious now.

  4. Joel Avatar
    Joel

    IIRC, cheetas are also unusual among felines in that they can’t retract their claws. They use the claws to get a better grip of the ground, like football shoes.

  5. joelle Avatar
    joelle

    I was worry but den i saw dat deir mommy was with dem and I yust felt so woam and safe!!!
    dey soooo beauty all togeder. Valiant and noble friends:)

  6. Naamah Avatar
    Naamah

    Cheetahs CAN climb. Google image search “cheetahs climb” and “cheetahs tree.”
    They don’t possess fully retractile claws; they have the same bone and ligament structure of a normal cat, but lack the sheath of skin that covers the claw when it is retracted. Their feet are optimized for running, not climbing. So they don’t climb as WELL as leopards or other cats, but they can and do climb.
    I am only being this pedantic because I oppose anything that gives anyone the impression that climbing to get away from a cheetah will save them. 🙂

  7. eddy Avatar
    eddy

    They are sooo cute. They look like rebellious teenage cheetahs with bad attitudes- I want to dye their mohawks.

  8. Morne Avatar
    Morne

    Namah: If it’s a choice between climbing a tree to escape a cheetah chasing you, or trying to outrun it, it seems to me that climbing a tree would not be a bad idea at all. XD

  9. Carol Avatar
    Carol

    Cheetahs are not tree climbers. Their semi-retractable claws are very blunt since they are constantly walking on them. Younger cheetahs are more apt to be climbing trees but the adults aren’t so able. So yes, if I could rapple up a tree I’d be better off than trying to run away.

  10. DB Avatar

    As quoted on the cheetah Conservation website, http://www.cheetah.org,
    “Question: Hello Can cheetahs climb trees? Thanks
    Answer: Yes, cheetahs are able to climb trees. For over 50 years farmers in Namibia have noted that cheetahs use certain trees. They call these trees “play trees” or “newspaper trees”. The trees normally have sloping trunks that branch into large horizontal limbs that can be easily climbed. The use of play trees is unique to Namibian cheetahs.
    Play trees are often used for leaving communication through scent marking, or to mark territory with either urine, faeces or by scratching. Wandering cheetahs visiting play trees inspect markings and identify other cheetahs passing through the area. Individuals visiting trees are mostly males. Females may only visit the tree when in oestrus and looking for a mate.”
    ’nuff said.

  11. FunnyPartyAnimal Avatar

    Cheetahs are my favorite animal and they are amazing!

  12. FunnyPartyAnimal Avatar

    I have a question for everybody:whats your fav animal? Just reply your answer!

  13. FunnyPartyAnimal Avatar

    Google search:
    cheetahs may climb trees,but not as good as most cats.
    CHEETAHS CAN CLIMB!!!!!!! you’re wrong,zooborns.

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