很多人都知道，我們 3 個月大的獵豹幼崽 Amabala、Jabari、Hasani 和 Erindi 在 5 月底第一次品嘗了肉，他們是熱情的食客！ 盡管他們每天仍會收到碎牛肉，但我們最近在他們的飲食中添加了一項(xiàng)新項(xiàng)目。 有時，我們會為他們提供凍融的兔子，模仿獵豹幼崽在野外吃的獵物。

這些尸體喂養(yǎng)對幼崽的整體健康很重要。 皮膚、毛皮和骨骼富含纖維，有助于消化過程。 內(nèi)臟也含有豐富的營養(yǎng)物質(zhì)，有助于幼崽長得又大又壯。 像這樣的獵物也有助于增強(qiáng)它們的下巴肌肉。

食物展示只是我們鼓勵幼崽使用其自然行為的一種方式。 我們還為他們提供像獵物一樣移動的豐富物品——他們滾動、擺動，在院子里猛撲或追逐很有趣。 這些玩具不僅有助于磨練他們的狩獵技能，而且還可以讓幼崽保持身體健康和精神敏銳。

小快樂球的大小正好適合我們的幼崽。 weeble-wobble 和媽媽 Echo 的大小差不多，盡管一些幼崽已經(jīng)足夠勇敢地嘗試解決斜塔。

有時，幼崽會用不一定用于游戲目的的物品制作玩具——比如在飲水機(jī)里潑水！

這些物品本來就很結(jié)實(shí)，但隨著時間的推移，它們會在牙齒和爪痕太多后磨損。 如果您想幫助我們補(bǔ)充一些幼崽的破舊但深受喜愛的玩具，您可以通過向 Enrichment Trunk 捐款來實(shí)現(xiàn)。 我代表幼崽感謝您的慷慨解囊！

Cheetah Cubdate #9: Treats and Toys

Jul. 16, 2020

This update was written by Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute intern Shannon Richard.

As many of you know, our 3-month-old cheetah cubs Amabala, Jabari, Hasani and Erindi sampled their first taste of meat at the end of May and are enthusiastic eaters! Although they still receive ground beef every day, we recently added a new item to their diet. Occasionally, we will provide them with frozen-thawed rabbits, which mimic the prey that cheetah cubs consume in the wild.

These carcass feedings are important for the cubs’ overall health. The skin, fur and bones are full of fiber and aid in the digestive process. The internal organs are also rich in nutrients that help the cubs grow big and strong. Prey such as this helps strengthen their jaw muscles, too.

Food presentation is only one way we encourage the cubs to use their natural behaviors. We also provide them with enrichment items that move like prey—they roll, wobble and are just fun to pounce on or chase around the yards. Not only do these toys help to hone their hunting skills, but they also keep the cubs physically fit and mentally sharp.

Small jolly balls are just the right size for our cubs. The weeble-wobble is about the same size as mom, Echo, though some of the cubs have been brave enough to try and tackle the leaning tower.

Occasionally, the cubs will make toys out of items that aren’t necessarily meant for play purposes—like splashing in the water dispenser!

These items are built to be hearty, but over time they wear down after so many teeth and claw marks. If you would like to help us replenish some of the cubs’ worn-but-well-loved toys, you can do so by making a donation to the Enrichment Trunk. On behalf of the cubs, thank you for your generosity!

Can't get enough of the cheetah cubs? Watch them on the webcam! Check out previous updates and follow along on the Zoo's social media with the hashtag #CheetahCubdates.?