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4-Month-Old Jaguar Cubs Refuse to Leave Mom's Side During Public Debut

After four months of bonding with their mom, these two cubs have met the public for the first time.

These two adorable jaguar cubs were quite the scaredy cats when they stepped out in public for the first time.

Emma and Fitz — the first jaguars born at the Houston Zoo in 12 years — refused to leave their mom's side as they made their public debut Thursday after four months of bonding with her behind the scenes.

The purrfect pair took a few tumbles as they explored rocks in their enclosure.

The cubs have the option to hang out in caves or their night shelter but during their debut, they chose to hide under their mother instead.

Stephanie Adams/Houston Zoo
Stephanie Adams/Houston Zoo
Stephanie Adams/Houston Zoo
Stephanie Adams/Houston Zoo

Emma and Fitz are the first cubs for 6-year-old Maya and 3-year-old Tesoro, who came to the zoo nearly two years ago.

Jaguars are mostly found in South and Central America but their numbers are declining due to habitat loss.

"The Houston Zoo is protecting jaguars in the wild by providing support to conservation partners in Brazil who work with the Brazilian government on saving the forested homes of these beautiful cats," the zoo said.