Tlalamba’s Cub Seen For The First Time
On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, during an afternoon drive, we encountered a beautiful sight. Tlalamba appeared along a dusty road, carrying her baby in the golden light. This was the first time we saw her cub, as she gently carried it in her mouth (we’ve provided context on this behaviour below).
It is believed she was returning to her den site after a kill, likely bringing the cubs to the kill site for their protection and so she could feed them, as they are still too young to eat meat.
Tlalamba’s two cubs were born approximately eight to nine weeks ago on Torchwood; their genders are still unknown. At this young age, sensitive viewing protocols are in place, and only one vehicle is permitted at a sighting.
This respectful control of sensitive wildlife viewing rewards us with incredible close contact with these usually elusive predators, as they learn to trust us from a very early age.
Leopards are most easily identified by their spot patterns. Just like a human’s fingerprint, a leopard’s spot pattern is unique. These markers are found on the leopard’s cheeks, above the upper line of whiskers.
The spot pattern is made up of the number of spots on the right cheek versus the left cheek and is expressed as the two values in relation to one another. Tlalamba’s spot pattern is 5:5.
Tlalamba means ‘playful’ or ‘mischievous’. She was born in November 2017, east of Arathusa Safari Lodge, and was sired by Tingana. She has previously given birth to one male and one female cub (September/October 2021), suspected to have been sired by Molwati. A sighting of her went viral some time ago when she was found standing on her hind legs, scanning the environment quite like a meerkat.
Tlalamba is one of three leopards in the area that we know of that have cubs. The other two are Langa and Watika (whose cubs have not been seen, but she clearly has suckle marks).
Despite their formidable teeth, predators do not hurt their babies when carrying them in their mouths due to a combination of instinctive and anatomical adaptations. They use a gentle grip to hold the loose skin on the back of the cub’s neck, an area with fewer nerve endings, ensuring the cubs are not harmed.
This behaviour is instinctive, with adult leopards knowing naturally how to carry their young securely. Additionally, cubs respond by becoming passive and still, facilitating easier transport. These adaptations, including the loose skin and fewer pain receptors in the scruff area, enable leopards to safely move their cubs when necessary.
Some exciting viewing lies ahead. We will be sure to keep you posted!
