SHORT-TERM COSTS AND CORRELATES OF PLAY IN CHEETAHS

Costs and benefits of play were investigated by observing cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus, cubs in the wild. Cubs played either after resting or nursing, or while the family was moving; cubs were never injured during 2600 h of observation, and did not become separated from their mother during play; and mothers showed few signs of unease while cubs played. It is argued that energetic and indirect costs of play were insubstantial.;Taking all these potential costs together, overall costs of play appeared low. Very young cubs showed high rates of locomotor play suggesting that play may have immediate rather than delayed benefits, possibly aiding cubs in escaping predation. Components of non-contact social play may be functionally or causally related to approaching prey, whereas components of object and contact play may be related to contacting prey. Litter-mates that stalked and crouched at other family members more frequently during play also stalked and crouched at prey more often, and those showing more frequent object play and contact social play showed higher rates of contacting live prey released for them by their mothers. Distances that cubs chased each other and their success in catching each other during play chases increased with age but the ability of cubs to remain concealed during play stalks and crouches did not improve, implying that only certain aspects of play might be suitable for rehearsing predatory skills.