Two Litters, Ten Cubs and Hundreds of Spots!
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is celebrating International Cheetah Day with 10 genetically valuable cheetah cubs, which were born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute last month. First-time mother Miti birthed a litter of seven cubs Nov. 12. Six of her cubs survived—five female and one male. Experienced mother Ally gave birth to a litter of four cubs Nov. 26. Animal care staff have not fully examined Ally's cubs yet but both litters are doing well. For now, staff are watching the cheetah mothers bond with their cubs via closed-circuit webcams in their enclosures.
