Cheetah Cubs and Honey Badgers

Shortly after cheetah cubs are born, they grow tall fluffy fur that goes from the top of their heads most of the way down their backs. This fur is called a mantle. The mantle helps to camouflage cubs until it disappears when they are three to six months of age and better able to get away from predators. It is also thought that the cheetah's mantle makes it look like a fierce animal called a honey badger. In theory then, predators who aren't interested in messing with a honey badger will leave cheetah cubs alone.